LEADING DURING A PANDEMIC
CAPTAIN PROFILE: Capt. Jeffrey L. Sutton, USMMA Kings Point 1975 – Dual License; Unlimited Oceans Masters License and Third Assistant Engineer Steam and Diesel The African proverb - smooth seas do not make for skilled sailors has taken on a new meaning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Without any frame of reference to call on, vessel Captains are adapting and finding new ways to lead during this unprecedented crisis. At the onset of the pandemic, Master of the M/V Ocean Grand, Capt. Jeffrey L. Sutton found himself in this predicament.
said Sutton. “There was and still is an increased concern as to the mental and physical well-being of our crew members; I tried to find a happy medium with the crew by helping them to understand that as dire as the situation was, we could manage it if everyone was willing to follow the recommendations necessary to mitigate the chances of contracting COVID-19.”
In late March, Capt. Sutton arrived in Singapore for a Among the various challenges they faced, Sutton scheduled 30-day dry dock. Approximately 85 days and his crew found themselves confined to the later, the dry dock was completed, and the crew of Grand in a port that is generally very welcoming to the Grand were released to sail back to the States. A seamen. Numerous new precautions and procedures near shutdown of the shipyard itself primarily due to were adopted to protect the crew and their vendors. a lack of workers, resulted in the extended duration Pilots, vendors and other visitors were required to of their dry dock. It is an understatement to say that review instructions and complete forms prior to their things did not go to plan, but a strong leader learns arrival to the vessel. Capt. Sutton noted how tireto adapt. Throughout his 18 years of heavylift expe- some wearing masks in the heat was – especially in rience, 15 of those aboard US Ocean vessels, Capt. the engine room. Sutton had never experienced anything like navigat“We wear masks around non crew members and we ing his team through this voyage and dry dock. only allow contractors or visitors with a definite need “I spent a lot of time trying to keep to enter the accommodations,” said Sutton. “We do the crew updated on developments a lot of cleaning and disinfecting before and after we encounter visitors; and we clean and disinfect all of and necessary precautions,” the vessel common areas with greater frequency.”
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