Bahrain- 2nd March Capt. Howard Snaith Director Marine, Ports, Terminal, Environmental & Chemical Section

Transcription

1 Bahamas Ship Owners Association 14 th Annual General Meeting London 10 th November 2010 The Quality Mariner Bahrain- 2nd March 2010 Capt. Howard Snaith Director Marine, Ports, Terminal, Environmental & Chemical Section INTERTANKO Capt. Howard Snaith Master Mariner. FNI. Director Marine, Ports, Terminal, Environment & Chemical Section INTERTANKO

2 Question: What is a the definition of Mariner? A person who navigates or assists in navigating a ship Question: What is the definition of quality? Quality is a measure of excellence and is the outcome of the sum of all of the features and characteristics of a program, process, service or person that impacts their ability to meet or surpass the needs and requirements of a customer...so far so good!

3 But how do we define a Quality Mariner in the shipping industry? All Mariners are qualified to STCW standards - is this a measure of quality? It s very reasonable to assume that industry and its Flag states agree that it is, but lets go back to our quality definition - does this measure of quality have the ability to meet or surpass the needs and requirements of a customer? In the oil & Chemical industry we are faced with ensuring the provision of high quality Mariners to satisfy the needs and demands of our customers

4 Its very common today to have to meet various and differing officer matrix requirements in the oil & chemical sector, where officers are required to have a requisite number of years experience both in rank and with their companies, before they will be accepted as meeting or surpassing their customers requirements. The criteria used to assess the level of quality of the officers subjected to time in rank & time in company is time only. Lets remind ourselves of our quality definition -..the outcome of the sum of all of the features and characteristics of a program, process, service or person In other words - a measure of quality does not rely on one aspect only. However, it is proving more and more difficult to meet these officer matrix requirements as time goes by.

5 It s now common for companies to have onboard additional Masters, Chief Engineers, Second Engineers & Chief Officers to adhere to matrix requirements and meet the needs of their customers. - What level of confidence does this provide to those officers already onboard? - Does this achieve the objectives of ensuring quality? - Does this approach in striving for quality encourage quality minded people to go to sea? Some customers charter party clauses now require a warrant from the owner that the officers onboard will not be changed during the duration of the charter, to ensure that the officers meeting matrix requirements remain onboard throughout. - What happens if a family member is sick? - What happens if the Mariner falls ill during the voyage? - What happens during a long term time charter? Some say the customer is always right but Is there another way to meet or surpass the needs and requirements of a customer?

6 INTERTANKO believes there is an alternative way of measuring quality other than Time in Rank & Time in Company and this is through its Tanker Officer Training Standards (TOTS). TOTS is a systematic approach in providing a core competency training system, which not only assesses quality but also verifies it through Computer Based Assessments, simulator training & verification courses, mentoring & human element moulding. In other words, we believe TOTS (or equivalent systems) does provide..a measure of excellence that is the outcome of the sum of all of the features and characteristics of a person that really does meet or surpass the needs and requirements of a customer.

7 BUT - Before we can even start to assess quality we need to ATTRACT quality people to the industry, how might we do that that? Fixed employment This will enable the Mariner to take a bank loan, acquire a mortgage or even get a credit card. Career opportunities Provide a structured career path, assist with training and further qualifications. Family connections Provision of internet access onboard; free telephone. Quality of Life Re-provide stewards onboard; quality food; decent living conditions, own toilet own shower; gyms; onboard entrainment systems. Professionalism Promote the industry and the Mariners who serve in it. Criminalisation This approach to the Mariner must be relegated to the history books.

8 Importantly also - once we have attracted quality people its critical to the industry that we RETAIN them - how might we do that that? Value the human being behind the seafarer Talk to your Mariners, listen to their views and needs - you will be rewarded. Value their professionalism Encouragement, constructive criticism and continuous development, they are people too, press the right buttons and they will respond positively. Two way communication with the Mariner Active participation in the safe, environmentally and economically viable operation of their ship is the trademark of a quality seafarer engage them in your operation. Provision of shore leave Still more needs to be done..

9 This is just a snap shot of what we believe will provide a quality mariner in the oil and chemical sector and also what we believe needs to be addressed within the industry to attract and retain the Quality Mariner In concluding: Perhaps if we really wish to address the issue of attracting and retaining the quality mariner, we will have to achieve a level of parity between the standards applied in the working environments ashore and those at sea? We continue to work closely with our members to address these key aspects of attraction and retention and with this presentation I hope that I have provided you with some thoughts for consideration. Thank you.