The Nautical Institute has issued a guide explaining how an assessment conducted in a positive and constructive way can provide tangible benefits for maritime safety while contributing to the professional development of bridge team members.
The guide was launched at a seminar at the Royal Institution of Naval Architects in London, where author Captain Harry Gale FNI, together with Paul Whyte AFNI of LOC, Captain Yves Vandenborn AFNI, Director Loss Prevention at The Standard Club, and Stuart Edmonston MNI of UK P&I Club, discussed navigation accidents and the value of carrying out assessments. They looked at why assessments are necessary and what should be done with the assessors’ findings.
Vandenborn said: “In recent years, The Standard Club has seen a worrying increase in incidents relating to navigation, which could have been avoided. Carrying out navigation assessments while sailing is essential in order to maintain navigational standards on board and prevent incidents.”
“The use of the term ‘assessment’ rather than ‘audit’ is intended to emphasise the positive and to encourage crews to be truthful with assessors,” said Captain Gale, who is Technical Manager for The Nautical Institute.
“An assessment should be conducted over several days at sea so that assessors gain an understanding of the culture on board and identify the navigation team members’ strengths and weaknesses. Coaching, consultation and feedback between assessor and bridge team can break down barriers and build stronger safety cultures.”
Captain Gale emphasized that ‘an assessment should be much more than ticking off boxes’. The assessor needs to actually observe the officers and bridge procedures over a period of time, he explained. The ultimate aim is to identify any knowledge gaps and to provide advice towards continual improvement of navigational practices.
Source: The Nautical Institute