Think Safety
It is always exciting to expect another edition of our MMSM Insights! There are just too many topics we want to discuss, so few a space available to write and seemingly not enough time to do all that we like to post. Although at occasions one would really like to do many things at a time, calling it multi-tasking if you make good or stupidity if you fail, many will always favor the ‘one thing at a time’ which is considered to be safe and efficient. The simple me always like to do one thing at a time. Or that’s what I believe I have been doing. Less complicated and less mistake.
Our job entails safety. Plainly because we want to be safe and able to spend the time with our loved ones and families accident free and in steaming good health. We learned a lot from experiences both from ours and from others. A good near miss always send a shiver up the spine! What if… We also get formal lessons every now and then. We are being given and read a lot of instruction notes, circular letters, video clips and several other media forms about safety. And we try our best to be safe. However, accidents do still happen although I would say that at a very much reduced rate. We are still looking forward to a zero accident, right?
Managing ships is not a simple business. It is quite complicated and requires us to put our focus on the job. It is a 24/7 activity both by the shore staff and the shipboard staff. As discussed with our senior officers, the actual managers of the vessel are the crew themselves. The entire staff onboard is like a compact lean-and-mean organization being ably led by the General Manager which is the Master and assisted by the very capable managers which are the three department heads, namely Chief Engineer of the Engine Department, Chief Officer of the Deck Department and the Chief Cook of the Catering Department. MMSM is the ever ready round-the-clock support group that is always present in times of abundance and in times of need. And as always, safety in all aspects is our credo.
In MMSM, we continue to do a lot of measures in every possible way to encourage each and everyone to be safe and practice safety. With thanks to our shore staff and the crew, we have so far already implemented the following:
On crew’s health issues:
- Monthly health check – weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS)
- Quarterly health check including tests for Uric Acid and Cholesterol
- Vacuum sealer to prolong life of vegetables
- Healthy recipe from SeaCaterer
- Upgrade of gym fitness equipment
- Supply of quality drinking water filtration equipment
On operational issues
- Monthly Budget Variance Reports (BVR) to vessels
- Weekly calls between vessel and office
- Increase of internet allowance to crew
- Extension satphone in ECR
On management issues
- Pre-joining familiarization for embarking senior officers
- VOW for senior officers
- Officers for Junior Officers
- One-Day Workshop for Officers and Engineers
We have noted a great improvement in the vessels’ management and a huge reduction of accidents and crew sickness. Operational failures are also greatly reduced. This is a huge milestone for all of us! But of course we shall never put our guards down. While MMSM management continue to think of ways and means for further improvement, I highly encourage all staff to be one with me in putting this question to ourselves : How do we sustain the drive towards safe and efficient operation? Quite a challenge, isn’t it? I would like to quote you a useful tip to ponder upon: “Train the mind. The body will follow.” (Stephen Curry).
I wish you all a safe and smooth sailing, as usual!
May God bless us all!!
MMSM INSIGHTS I Issue No. 10
