5 minute read
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.
In late March, Capt. Sutton arrived in Singapore for a scheduled 30-day dry dock. Approximately 85 days later, the dry dock was completed, and the crew of the Grand were released to sail back to the States. A near shutdown of the shipyard itself primarily due to a lack of workers, resulted in the extended duration of their dry dock. It is an understatement to say that things did not go to plan, but a strong leader learns to adapt. Throughout his 18 years of heavylift experience, 15 of those aboard US Ocean vessels, Capt. 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.”
Among the various challenges they faced, Sutton and his crew found themselves confined to the Grand in a port that is generally very welcoming to seamen. Numerous new precautions and procedures were adopted to protect the crew and their vendors. Pilots, vendors and other visitors were required to review instructions and complete forms prior to their arrival to the vessel. Capt. Sutton noted how tiresome wearing masks in the heat was – especially in the engine room.
“We wear masks around non crew members and we only allow contractors or visitors with a definite need to enter the accommodations,” said Sutton. “We do a lot of cleaning and disinfecting before and after we encounter visitors; and we clean and disinfect all of the vessel common areas with greater frequency.”
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The crew also socially distanced amongst themselves as much as they could, splitting up for mealtimes. Newly joined crew members were also subject to a 10-day semi-quarantine. Some crew members were onboard from February 3 until July 30 when they disembarked in Baltimore, Maryland. Captain Sutton commends his exceptional crew for continuing to complete their assigned tasks in a professional and sometimes cheerful manner, considering the circumstances under which they were working.
“With being stuck together for six months, we have experienced minimal issues; when you take into account that there was no chance to go ashore and decompress during this time, that in and of itself speaks volumes,” said Sutton. “Additionally, there were long periods of uncertainty as to when we would be able to get home, and of course, we were all worried about our loved ones far away.”
To keep up the morale, Capt. Sutton increased the frequency of the crew’s cookouts with the last one taking place on the Fourth of July. An added boost, the crew had an excellent chandler in Singapore that was able to get the crew members many of the odds and ends that make life a little better, including different foods, snacks, drinks (non-alcoholic of course); and the like. They even got to enjoy a local dish of chili crab and prawns. The Grand crew was also able to load up on all the needed PPE, such as masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.
Reflecting on the situation, Sutton shared that the world is changing, and shipping is changing with it. “Going forward we will have to change to meet new challenges; realistically we can only consider this virus a forerunner of more to come,” he said. “I’m afraid this new preventative stance is going to be necessary for some time to come, perhaps from now on; and we’ve learned that different people view this pandemic with varying degrees of concern. So perhaps the most difficult challenge will be how serious people take it and if they continue to take precautions.” His advice for the next generation? Newcomers should understand that “going to sea” is not perhaps what it used to be, as vessels spend little time in port these days. Still, prior to COVID-19 the crew on heavylift vessels did experience a greater length of time in port than perhaps other types of vessels such as tankers and container vessels, allowing for crew members to see and experience diverse cultures in ports worldwide.
Capt. Sutton likes the quality time at home with his children and grandchildren that this way of life affords him. He added, on one hand, a seaman spends a good amount of time away from home and loved ones, but on the other hand the long periods of time at home give them the chance for quality time. For him it’s a good tradeoff as one can spend time with their children in the classroom, go on all the field trips, and generally spend more time with family than a 9-5 job would typically allow.
“US Ocean heavylift vessels give the crew an opportunity to see ports and places not generally frequented by US flag vessels,” said Sutton. “And of course, nice weather days of sunshine in the middle of nowhere, particularly after being in port for an inordinate amount of time are a plus.”
Capt. Sutton wants people to know that he and his crew will continue to do their jobs by carrying essential goods and cargo to their destinations, and that while they do it, they are always thinking of their family and friends at home especially during these
difficult times.
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