Safety at Sea - sharing best practice

This important session began with Doug Prothero - President, Navigator Marine Group and Trustee of Sail Training International - proposing that the Sailing Training International website could provide a resource centre to include an operations manual, ongoing education, and a review of the procedures. It could also include crew familiarisation forms, systems for working aloft, a safety equipment checklist, and a pre-arrival/pre-departure check list.
He said ship safety should be a priority and have commitment from the top, ie ship management. Practices and procedures should be incorporated in the safety manual, which must be updated and reviewed as necessary.

The second speaker, Simon Colley - Senior Captain of Spirit of Bermuda - referred to a number of ships he has been aboard where a manual exists, but where the information it contains is either inappropriate or out of date and not what actually happens (often 'cut and pasted' from publications belonging to other vessels). He said manuals should be current; a 'living' document.
The difference between risk and perceived risk was considered, as was risk management, which was discussed at length, including the necessity to build a strong but safe crew. 'Qualifications' and 'experience' are two different things and crew should be promoted on their capabilities and not on their qualifications alone. No one should be challenged above their abilities and it was dangerous to assume that familiarity with a vessel means that things are being done correctly. Trainee capabilities should also be taken into account, and the programme adjusted if necessary to reduce risk.

Speakers

Doug Prothero: President, Navigator Marine Group, and Trustee of Sail Training International

Simon Colley: Senior Captain, Spirit of Bermuda, Bermuda