2012 marks JCP Marine's 20th anniversary. During that time we have developed our own criteria for recruiting marine surveyors. Whilst we survey a diverse variety of ship types - generally for underwriters, charterers and law firms - we are well known for our tanker expertise and place a strong premium on our surveyors possessing good tanker qualifications and experience. Other companies will have their own specific and individual needs. In this short article, I will take you briefly through our recruitment criteria for surveyors.
At its heart we need technically qualified personnel. Borrowing from the Ship Inspection Report (SIRE) and Chemical Distribution Institute (CDI) programmes, this translates into the applicant holding a certificate of Competency (Deck Officer or Marine Engineer) Class 1 with at least an Oil Dangerous Cargo Endorsement; having a total of 60 months sea time served on tankers; of which at least 24 months has been in the capacity of senior officer i.e. Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Officer or Second Engineer Officer.
Our preference is that candidates already possess lead auditor qualifications, but will consider those who have completed ISM or ISO internal auditor training at a recognised training establishment. If necessary we will complement the candidates basic ISM and ISO certification with externally provided ISO 14000 and ISO 18000 training.
Beyond the those basic technical qualifications, we need surveyors who are knowledgeable with respect to industry standards and international rules and regulations appropriate to the vessels being inspected. In-house Computer Based Training (CBT) software allows us to independently verify technical skill levels. Less easily defined perhaps, but the softer skills can be as equally important as technical ability. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with ship's staff is essential. Generally that means possessing a good standard of spoken English, although for some regional offices where it is primarilydomestic trade that is surveyed, that can be a secondary consideration. Clarity of thought; a logical approach; and the ability to produce concise written reports, are all essential client requirements.
Safety awareness is paramount and a surveyor needs to be constantly aware of the risks and hazards that surround him. As we are frequently reminded, ships can be dangerous places: enclosed space entry incidents remain a depressinglycommon feature of our industry. Wearing the appropriate safety apparel, carrying a suitable gas meter and setting a good example regarding PPE and safety when on board ship are in my mind important attributes of a surveyor.
The range of survey requirements means that not all skills are required by all surveyors. The temperament and technical abilities needed to assess the condition of tank coatings do not neatly overlap with the ability to analyze the documentation relating to a fuel oil cargo contamination nor again with assessing navigation practices and machinery incidents.Independence, integrity and an inquisitive mind are all essential traits, which in my experience most mariners who come ashore already possess. There are many more I could go on and list. But that's for a future article perhaps.
Captain Julian Brown
CEO of JCP Marine Pte Ltd
Article was initially published at Alert! - The International Maritime Human Element Bulletin, and reproduced with permission.
