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OCR for page 122
Appendix D
Maritime Management Perspectives
In late 1988, the committee decided to conduct its own series of inter-
views to assess the experience with smaller crews of a range of companies
operating ships that trade in the United States. Chairman Benkert, in
consultation with the Marine Board staff, identified candidate shipping
companies representing a range of trades and vessel types.
Letters requesting an interview were mailed in December 1988, en-
closing the questionnaire shown below. In the spring and summer of 1989,
a series of personal interviews with senior executive maritime managers
were conducted by Chairman Benkert with the assistance of Capt. George
Ireland, consultant to the committee.
Questionnaire for Shipping Company Interviews
Committee on the Effect of Smaller Crews on Maritime Safety
December 1988
Attached is a questionnaire for use during interviews of ship own-
ers/operators. Its purpose is two-fold; first as a means to ask the proper
questions and not overlook any area, and second, to bring uniformity to the
information we are seeking, that is, to validate the information we receive
by asking the same questions of more than one operator.
The questionnaire is broken down into five areas; personnel, vessel
design and equipment, operations, safety experience with small crews and
externalities.
It should be kept in mind that the reason for this study is to assess
122
OCR for page 123
MARITIME MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVES
123
the effect of smaller crews on maritime safety and therefore the questions
should be asked with that objective in mind.
Personnel
Assuming that an oceangoing vessel engaged in international trade
having a crew of 9 to 11 persons is to be operated by your company,
what personnel standards and/or qualifications would you impose so as to
maintain an acceptable level of safety?
Source of personnel?
Special qualifications?
Dual-license requirement or other cross training
Pilotage experience/qualification
Medical; any special physical qualifications
Special training?
Technical training
Human relations
Stress management
Methods
Simulators
lopes
What conditions of employment might be considered, such as incen-
tives, profit sharing, budget performance, length of service, participation in
safety programs, etc?
Who would do the actual employing of shipboard personnel?
Would you utilize a ship management company to perform this role
for reduced crews?
Is continuity of shipboard personnel a safety concern?
Vessel Design and Equipment
For an oceangoing ship to be safely operated with a crew of 9 to
11 persons some special features, such as labor-saving devices, would
have to be designed into the ship. In your opinion, what are the con-
cepts/features/items you would insist upon having in order for the ship to
be operated as safely as one manned by 18 to 21 persons?
Pilot house
Engine room
OCR for page 124
124
APPENDIX D
Control systems, such as steering, propulsion, electrical distribution,
safety alarms
Deck/mooring equipment
Internal communications
External communications
Primary lifesaving equipment
Cargo and ballast
Safety systems such as fire extinguishing systems, alarms, etc.
What are your thoughts about a small number of persons being able
to cope with emergencies such as a machinery space fire?
How often should safety systems be examined and by whom?
What are your expectations of the role of regulatory persons with
regard to these systems?
The Coast Guard has promulgated information regarding technical
requirements for automation of vital systems, and also requires approved
test procedures be maintained aboard for these systems. In your experience,
has this been an adequate way to assure that these systems are kept in
proper working order?
What safety systems, if any, should be exclusively redundant aboard
ships with a reduced crew? For example, should there be multiple means
to alert persons in case of fire or other emergency? Should there be
additionaVback-up fixed fire extinguishing systems?
Operations
manning?
What type of ship would you envision being suitable for such reduced
Tanker
Bulk carrier
Container ship
How would such a ship be assisted from shore, i.e., would special
support persons be required at ports/terminals for maintenance, etc.?
What are your thoughts about the role of regulatory bodies such as the
Coast Guard or the American Bureau of Shipping with regard to overseeing
support activity for such a ship?
What are your thoughts/experience about supplementing the core crew
with maintenance teams, mooring teams, etc., from time to time?
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MARITIME MANAGEMENT PERSPECT~ES
125
What training would you require for crew members manning ships
having smaller crews so they could deal with emergencies?
What provisions or precautions would you institute so such crews could
deal with special circumstances such as extended operation (long hours),
or loss of manpower due to sickness, injury, etc.?
What are your thoughts about length of service aboard such a ship for
crew members?
Should the regulatory bodies certify such ships for particular routes,
taking into account company support resources, or are such ships capable
of being certified for operation anywhere?
Safety Experience
Does your company have records you could share regarding safety
experience with oceangoing vessels manned with smaller crews?
Has reduction in crew size had measurable effect on vessel casualties,
pollution incidents or personnel injuries? Is fatigue an issue to be dealt
with? If so, how has your company addressed this issue?
What, if any, conclusions regarding safety have you drawn from your
operating experience with these vessels?
Have you experienced any casualties aboard ships with smaller crews
that appear to be related to crew size, qualification or training which would
be of value to others to learn about?
Externalities
The concept of operating an oceangoing ship with reduced manning has
impacts in several areas, some of which influence safety such as availability
of qualified crew members, special insurance requirements, maintenance of
a seaworthy vessel, etc.
What organizational changes, if any, has your company implemented
in order to maintain safe ships with smaller crews?
crews?
How is timely maintenance accomplished aboard ships with smaller
What additional (or fewer) shipboard duties occur as a consequence
of manning with smaller crews?
What additional measures, if any, would you like to implement in the
future aboard your ships manned with smaller crews to improve safety?
Representative terms from entire chapter:
safety experience