“Unlike earlier days, ships are no more a second home for seafarers. Rather, shipping has just become an assignment, which is neither good for the industry, nor for the marine professionals. The industry needs the right sailor, with right skills, right training and right attitude at the right time. The present pattern in world shipping is less but smarter manpower.” These were some of the key points made by speakers during the one-day ETA-Star Maritime Services safety seminar-cum-orientation programme on July 31, 2008 at Hotel Kohinoor, Andheri in Mumbai.

The one-day interactive event began with the welcome address by Mr H N Tiwari, General Manager, Star Maritime Services. Apart from elaborating the brand image of the Dubai-based parent company ETA, Mr Tiwari also gave an overview of the group and its expectations from its employees. He reminded that there is no substitute to comprehensive training (both prior to joining the ship/vessel and on-board training), on the job experience, sincerity and will to excel professionally. Hence, every seafarer irrespective of his rank and role, needs regular training, motivation and orientation to perform to his best potentials.
Speaking about the future plans, Mr Tiwari informed that the organization is planning to open offices in Delhi and Chennai. The group is also searching for a suitable location to establish its pre-sea training institute, he added.
Capt S K Pillai, Sr Manager (Manning) speaking about the 'Manning Challenges 2008 and beyond' discussed key issues like - timely report, wages, promotions, family carriage facilities, expectations of seafarers, training and readiness of documents, etc. Reminding that the ETA Fleet grew at a very fast rate during 2007-08, he made it clear that the organization is all geared up to achieve more in future and has a ready roadmap to implement its plans.
Discussing the various 'Expectations of Seafarers', Capt Pillai talked about key issues like - wages, timely relief, change of trade/type, age, food, promotions, family carriage, allotment, equitable justice, shorter contracts, NRI/tax issues, welfare of family, rewards for loyalty and seniority.
'Training is a must': Emphasizing on the need for good training he stated, “There is reluctance in general on part of officers on leave/reporting after leave to attend training courses meant to enhance their knowledge and skills. The need and importance of continuous on-board training in addition to training ashore, can not be over emphasized. Officers with good support from shore staff, contribute to better operations, safer ships and cleaner oceans.”
Speaking about the importance of 'Readiness of Documents', Capt Pillai said, “Often documents are not revalidated on time (viz. COC/passport/CDC/DCE's oil/chemical tanker).
Enumerating the 'Constraints of the Company' he discussed about various issues like wages, promotions, uncertainty in availability of officers, family carriage requests from officers, fleet expansion with ex-hands, requests for unplanned sign-off, non-flexibility at the time of sign-off, requests for shorter contracts, choice of ships, etc.
He also made it clear that - “ETA expects healthy communication between ship and shore, and decorum should be maintained through e-mail/telephone.” He added, “Relief requests from vessels should contain comments from respective heads of the departments in addition to inputs from the Master.”
Capt Pillai stressing on the 'Appraisal Reports' said, “These reports from vessels are at times misleading and ambiguous.” He added, “Training heads for the off-signing staff (all ranks) are not identified and often not found in the appraisal reports.” He concluded his lively interactive presentation reminding the participants that “A sailor can't explore and enjoy the charms and challenges of the ocean, if he does not end his affinity/attraction for the shore.”
Mr Ravindra D Mooley, Sr Manager (Safety Quality) began his presentation describing the motif behind organizing the safety seminar and the importance of interactive information exchange and feedback from the crew. He added, “Information sharing across the fleet is a must.” Stressing on the need for reviewing the safety standards, he informed that after the recent introduction of Tanker Management Safety Assessment (TMSA) -2, the norms have become stricter and no more the shipping organizations can afford to ignore the safety measures.
Discussing the 'Major PSC Findings', Mr Molley highlighted aspects like ORB entries missing /incorrect /overwritten /pencil entries by calculation sludge/slop generated does not match, incorrect codes, no weekly entries, etc. The other key points he discussed are - lifeboats, original shore-based management contact not on board, LB engine unable to start, hp fuel-pipe not protected, and difficulties in extreme cold conditions, when water ignores detection system malfunction, bulk carriers, personal certifications (A seafarer must keep track of all his endorsements), etc.
He also discussed in detail Major Vetting Findings, Major Audit Findings, Common Reporting Problems, Quaterly Fleet Safety Feedback, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Analysis, Lifeboat Engine, Near Miss Reporting, Accidents /Near Miss Accidents.
Elaborating 'SMS Manuals: Important Issues', he remarked, “It is not designed properly, and it is too bulky. Need to be very precise and organized”. He also informed that the company's name is being changed from 'ETA' to 'Pioneer Ship Management Services Ltd.'
Capt Vishal Vishwanathan, Marine Superintendent (Ship Management Department) speaking about 'Master-Pilot Exchange' (Ship to Shore Master/Pilot Exchange) said, “It was totally unfair to hold responsible the Master always for any accident/incident.” He added, “It should not be always Pilot to Pilot, but it should be rather berth to berth and from Pilot to Master and vice versa.”
He opined that guidance and instructions on no-go areas, contagious areas need to be followed. As far as passage plans and inspections are concerned, bulk carriers were lagging behind, but things are improving of late, he stated.
Capt Vasantha Kumar, Senior Training Manager discussed 'Crew Database Management System', which was followed by a very lively ‘Question Answer’ session, where the participants interacted and deliberated on the topics/issues addressed by the speakers.