Contribute To Effective Relationships

Onboard a vessel with more than 50 crew members, it is quite common that there are more than 15 different nationalities represented on board. The basic rule for creating a pleasant atmosphere on board is that everyone should respect each other's individuality, values, culture and purpose of work. Having open communication onboard will enhance Inter-Personal Relationships (IPR).

Yacht operation is a 24 hours business, at sea and in port. This means that some crew members are resting while the others continue the operation of the vessel. The shipboard environment demands better IPR from seafarers during both on-duty and off-duty hours. There are different elements that function as a tool to create good relationships onboard:

• Company policies,
• The function of shipboard management,
• Clarity of responsibilities regarding shipboard functions,
• Structure and flow of authority,
• Importance of understanding needs,
• Individual needs,
• Vessel needs,
• Company needs, and
• Social needs.

Since the vessel's effectiveness and safe operation is directly affected by the IPR onboard, it is crucial to continuously improve the tools and elements which have an impact on the relationships between the seafarers onboard.

Methods To Improve IPR Onboard Are:

Introducing and Understanding Each Other

• To understand someone, you have to know this person to some degree. To know someone, you have to be introduced to this person. The crew turnover rate of a yacht can be high. It is, therefore, important that the joining crew is familiarised with the vessel and introduced to his or her fellow crew members as soon as possible after on-signing, to be able to become ”one of the team.”

The Commitment of Senior Officers

• The senior officers onboard are key persons in the boat’s operation and also work as an excellent example for crew members of lower rank. They are the ones who should initiate the work to create good relations onboard.

Valuing of Individual Differences Rather Than Maximising Weakness

• Onboard a yacht with 56 crew members, will mean there are 56 individuals all of whom are different compared to another. Use the differences to build a strong team on board.

True Appraisals and Reporting

• Every person on board has the same value and deserves to be dealt with in fairness. All crew must be evaluated now & then, sometimes after every contract and sometimes once a year. These evaluations are sent to the company for reference and are used as material for future human resource development. It is vital that the evaluations and the reporting are accurate and without prejudice to make the correct decisions.

Discipline

• To operate a vessel safely and efficiently takes a certain level of discipline. The command chain onboard a ship is hierarchic, not many decisions made onboard are democratic.

Team Building

The shipboard operation is teamwork and the effectiveness of it depends on the efficiency of the team member. Working as a team helps in better decision-making. Team goals are about the future and must be desired by the team to provide momentum and direction. Desired team goals become the foundation of the team’s vision, thus motivating the group while providing a common purpose and direction. Team goals contribute to a shared vision and this vision focuses on team activities. All team roles are just as crucial in a capable team. It is also important that each team member knows his/her individual role.

Cohesiveness is the force bringing group members together. Cohesiveness refers to the degree to which group members share group goals and work together to meet these goals. Is the group working smoothly as one unit or do different people pull in different directions?

Teamwork Is Essential Because:

• When making a voyage, the yacht can undergo considerable climatic changes, which may adversely affect personnel.
• Yachts are operational for 24 hours each day and the crew must be organised in regulated shift systems to ensure that they are well-rested and fit for duty at all times especially when the guests are onboard.

Obstructions of The Teamwork

There are several deterrents to team operation, such as:

• Distortion of aims,
• Inflexible behaviour of members,
• Group forming,
• Status/ego problems,
• Hidden agendas,
• Communication problems,
• Physical/environmental problems, or
• Handling of grievances/counselling.

Team goals or aims contribute to a shared vision and this vision places focus on team activities. It is important to continue sharing the vision all the time. If not, the goals or aims could become distorted. It is important to be able to try new things, not get stuck in the routines of the past. A phrase which has been heard for many years is “Onboard this boat, we have always done it like this!” or “We have never done it like that before!”. Being flexible increases the chances for a successful operation. To avoid groups forming, it is important to involve representatives from all departments in the management onboard the vessel.

Ego and Hidden Agendas

If a person has too much ego, it can lead to arrogance and selfishness. To run a yacht is not a 'one man’s show'. All departments must be involved in the operation. It is essential that all in the group are striving towards the same goal. If someone has a hidden agenda, it will negatively affect that person’s credibility. It might also affect the teamwork directly by not reaching the intended goal.

Communication

Communication is not just what language we speak and how good we are at it. Communication is also:

• WHAT we say and HOW we say it.
• Written communication by e-mail or ordinary mail.
• Onboard a yacht, there is always a common language, also known as ”the working language.” This is the language that must be used by all crew onboard during any shipping activity and especially in an emergency.

Physical and Environmental Problems

It is important to remember that all individuals are different. We come from different cultures, countries, cities and families, but we are all members of the same team while onboard. Sometimes a person has physical problems or there might be something else affecting the working environment onboard. When those kinds of deterrents are showing, it is crucial to bring them up and solve them as soon as possible.

Counselling

The basic rule when it comes to safety is, 'Everyone has the right to stop work if it is considered unsafe.' The same rule applies in the boat’s day to day activity, 'Everyone has the right to say what they think is right and wrong.' However, it has to be done with some consideration to be effective and to reach the receiver.