Good Communication Practices

When communicating with each other during free time or for reasons other than work, seafarers should ensure that they keep in mind the nationality, culture, and beliefs of the other party to avoid misunderstandings that might lead to poor human relations onboard. This is sometimes not as simple as it seems, but crew members keeping in mind these factors will think properly before speaking and be less likely to cause discomfort, disputes, or disrespect with their communication. 

When it comes to communication during work, it is slightly easier to get it right, provided the proper procedures are followed. As was clearly stated before, focusing on closed-loop communication is the key to ensuring maximum safety onboard a ship. This is done using:

• Using Maritime English which consists of standard, known, and agreed-upon phrases. This will simplify the process and ensure full understanding.
• Waiting for a response from the receiver to ensure that the message has been understood.
• When the feedback is not received or it does not match the original message, the message should be repeated and if need be, simplified further to help with understanding.
• Non-Verbal communication such as gestures can be used to enhance verbal communication.
• Eye contact and physical contact, if possible, should be used to improve the effectiveness of the message.

Effective communication requires good listeners, therefore crew members should ensure that they are focused on the communication to avoid any misunderstanding. Communication is especially important onboard ships in the case of emergencies where increased stress reduces the ability of seafarers to communicate and listen effectively. This results in misunderstandings at the worst time possible, since during an emergency communication is key. 

Anchoring and Mooring operations are also stressful situations that might lead to communication mishaps, due to the simple fact that crew members are focused on their tasks whilst also listening to communication. An easy fix to such cases could be done using a briefing carried out before the specific operation informing the crew of what would be expected from them during the operations and how it should be done.  

Effective communication is therefore deemed as one of the key factors that can ensure a safe environment onboard. This will not only result in safer voyages, but it will also maintain good relationships between the crew, and ensure an optimum working environment.