events: nautical institute NIBC conference focuses on passenger vessel safety By Captain Duke Snider, NI Vice President
46 BC Shipping News July/August 2013
Photo credit: BC Shipping News
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ollowing a string of successful marine-focused conferences related to Arctic Shipping and Command Development, the British Columbia Branch of the Nautical Institute (NIBC) struck success yet again with their 2013 two-day conference on Passenger Vessel Safety held this past May in Victoria. The NIBC, with 120 members, is one of the most active branches of the London-based Nautical Institute. “Passenger Vessel Safety: What is the industry doing to ensure continuous improvement?” remains a topical subject this year following the RMS Titanic Centennial commemoration and the very news-worthy Costa Concordia incident. NIBC remains convinced that the overall picture is more positive than these news items suggest and thus the aim of this conference was to provide visibility and understanding of the advances in Passenger Vessel Safety in the past and into the future. Clearly, maritime industries in and around the Pacific Northwest have a strong stake in demonstrating continuous improvement in passenger vessel safety. Operators of passenger vessels — from small whale watching operations through to ferry services and ocean cruise lines — presented their approach to this ongoing focus. NIBC Chair Captain Chris Frappell welcomed the 90 delegates to the Marriot Victoria Harbourside followed by a short address from Nautical Institute international Vice President Captain Duke Snider. Keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Payne, renowned naval architect and father of over 40 cruise and passenger vessel designs including his crowning achievement, the Cunarder Queen Mary 2, set the stage for the following two days. Dr. Payne presented a history of the construction of notable passenger vessels that represented significant changes in the industry. Beginning with Brunel’s Great Eastern, he pointed out that each successive advance in design and construction almost always outpaced regulation. “Was the Titanic
Left to right: Captain Duke Snider, RAdm (Ret) Nigel Greenwood, Captain John Dickinson and Dr. Stephen Payne.
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Clearly, maritime industries in and around the Pacific Northwest have a strong stake in demonstrating continuous improvement in passenger vessel safety.
deficient? She met or exceeded the requirements of the day…it was the rules that failed,” said Dr. Payne. David Jones of Bernard LLP highlighted some of the most famous passenger vessel incidents and tragedies that sparked change in regulation, design or construction. He pointed out that, in most incidents, the vessels met or exceeded the standards of the day but sometimes, in horrendous consequence, showed how those same regulations failed to address specific aspects. He stressed the importance of consistent global standards, and though noting the oft cumbersome progress of the IMO, the organization works diligently to address new standards of safety. This same point was then clearly defended by John Dickinson, Nautical Institute Head of Delegation to the IMO. Well versed in the processes of the IMO, Captain Dickinson laid out the history of passenger vessel safety guidance from the inception of SOLAS to today’s Passenger Vessel Safety Initiative, reminding us that “where humans are involved, there will always be the danger of accident.” Following on the history lessons of the first three speakers, John Hicks, Lloyd’s Register VP Passenger Vessel Safety outlined how class ensures vessels not only meet the standards of the day but can also meet changes
throughout their operational lives. As the Fleet Technical Director for BC Ferries, Bruce Paterson showed how the local ferry corporation looked to future innovation in design and construction to ensure new builds were always “state of the art when it comes to safety”. Trevor Bailey of Seatag Systems and John Wright of Wrightway Training demonstrated how post-construction safety philosophy must also be of primary focus. Operators must remain vigilant for the unexpected and be prepared for the worst. In doing so, as recent events on our own coast too painfully remind us, ensuring accurate accounting of departing passengers is paramount. Seatag’s proprietary passenger tracking system is one way to do so. John Wright reminded us of the extreme importance in training to ensure the readiness of the crew and that management must adopt “how can I help you” attitudes to replace “I speak you listen” mantras in improving safety. Dr. Payne returned to the lectern to captivate the audience with his presentation, “Genesis of a Queen — the Queen Mary 2”, which began as his schoolboy’s dream to one day see the re-emergence of the “Passenger Liner”, to the life-long ambition culminating in the design and supervision of the modern liner Queen Mary 2. One must see this presentation to truly feel Dr. Payne’s pride in