July 2017 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 17
YOUR LETTERS
Telegraph’s cruiseship blunder
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consequence of modular F construction and increased passengerIt is recognised that as a
to-staff ratio the cost of cruises has become ever cheaper. The narrative to the article ‘Southampton handles record size containership’, on page 40 of the June Telegraph confirms this in making specific reference to ‘cruiseship’ in the first paragraph. I do know that containers are used for modular accommodation in the offshore industry. I presume this has now been extended to the cruise sector, where outside cabins come at a premium and those inside are heavily discounted. No doubt, there are dedicated containers for leisure and restaurant facilities? mem no 143112
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Deepsea pilots could help crews fight fatigue latest Telegraph article around F seafarers’ fatigue and I strongly agree
intensive training and annual licensing by an external regulator (Trinity House) and is one of the most skilled and experienced individuals in navigating these waters. The use of a deep sea pilot not only takes the pressure off a master in said waters, but also allows the master increased opportunities to rest, complete paperwork and help remove the pressure and strains to adhere to company expectations and working hours. The irony is, the cost of a deep sea pilot for a vessel on a short European rotation probably comes to around the same as a couple of tugs at port.
Not only do deep sea pilots offer the benefit of increased safety, but their knowledge and passage planning can also save a company money in terms of bunkers as well as passing on expert knowledge to masters and crew. It often feels that whilst much work is done to increase awareness on fatigue and the problems this can lead to, the solutions offered do not take into account the credible resources already available. CHRIS BROOKS Deep Sea & Coastal Pilots Ltd Gravesend
Southampton Solent is investing in Warsash
Career change cadets: stick with it and the ageism will ease off
I was very interested by the
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I am writing to respond to Malcolm Graves’ open letter to me entitled ‘Numbers falling at wrecked Warsash’ (June 2017 Telegraph). As Chancellor of Southampton Solent University, I am proud that we are the home of the world-renowned Warsash Maritime Academy (WMA) and therefore I was disappointed that our plans to secure a stable and successful future for the Academy are not better understood.
with many of the different arguments that were raised. I would, however, hasten to argue that we already have viable solutions in place which are not been utilised to their potential. Despite the lack of promotion and awareness around it, deep sea pilotage provides an answer to the long-running problem of fatigue. As we know, the English Channel and North Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, combined with the fact that the distance between
The University remains committed to its Maritime Strategy that spells out our ambitions for working with the maritime industry, ashore as well as at sea, in support of the UK government’s policy set out in the 2015 Maritime Growth Study. This commitment to the enhancement and development of maritime education and training is evidenced by the University’s significant investment that is both planned and underway:
port rotations can be some of the smallest. It is safe to say that masters’ and crew members’ fatigue can reach a pinnacle when navigating these waters due to traffic congestion, the possibility of poor visibility during the passage and time restriction on port formalities and paperwork. My question is this; why do shipping companies and the IMO not do more to encourage the use of deep sea pilots as a readily available option to combat fatigue? A licensed deep sea pilot is an ex-master who has previously served in command for a period of at least three years, faced
z In excess of £6m is being invested this summer in a new maritime centre for the tuition of Merchant Navy officer cadets — a centre of excellence which will replace buildings that are no longer fit for purpose and will provide a distinct, modern teaching environment exclusively for seafarers studying for their first Certificate of Competency which opens this September. z Development plans are well underway to create a
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comprehensive safety training unit on the Academy’s lower site at Warsash — this will provide fire, medical, maritime and offshore training in one location and will include a new survival pool and HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) facility. z Planning is at an advanced stage to bring the Academy’s professional and higher level maritime education programmes, from the Warsash campus, to the city centre during 2018 — this includes our intention for significant investment in new simulation facilities. Ensuring a sustainable and successful future for Warsash Maritime Academy remains of paramount importance to us all, and is something that the University is committed to achieving. Admiral The Rt Hon Lord West of Spithead Chancellor, Southampton Solent University
£100
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article appeared in the Nautilus F Telegraph entitled ‘Life begins at 40’. About 16 or 17 years ago, an
The subject was a retired ex-fireman (aged 37) who decided to embark on a Merchant Navy career as a deck cadet. I think he joined the Craig Group. The striking issue for me was that I was two months older and had started as an engineering cadet. I hope he has fared well. I myself recently obtained my Chief Engineer’s CoC and I hope to achieve that rank in 2018. However, I found ageism to be a huge problem. I say ‘ageism’, but in reality it was a derivative issue. What happened was that, unknown to yourself, a kangaroo court convenes. Your age/rank profile seemed to me to supply the narrative that your competence was either low or, worst still, you were deemed to be incompetent. I had to resign from two companies because one found oneself in the perfect storm of getting poor assessments, not being eligible for study leave, not being eligible for promotion. And not getting any younger. As I acquired my higher certificates, and moved on, that type of behaviour receded. In fact, I can spot now how some personalities seek to raise their own profile by demeaning others pretty immediately. I hope to continue in the merchant marine until I retire. And if I can lend my experience to others in a similar situation, I would be happy. ANDREW SCOTT mem no 186696
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