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SEAFARING CAREERS:RAISING THE PROFILE
*A FLAG STATE PERSPECTIVE
Presented By: Rear Admiral Robert C. North
President, North Star Maritime, Inc.
Regulatory Advisor to the Marshall Islands Registry
OVERVIEW – MARSHALL ISLANDS
40 Million GT
1800 Ships – 62% tankers by tonnage
Predominant ownership in United States, Greece, Germany, Norway
Quality Focus
A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE -1966• Jobs were plentiful with opportunity for advancement
• Working and living conditions not as good as today – many old ships
• Manning greater - little automation – but more shore leave
• Pay for mariners was better than pay ashore and the profession was respected
THE DRIVERS - NEGATIVES Criminalization of seafarers
Lack of advancement
Increasing technical complexity of ships and systems requiring more training
Pay along with Living and working conditions
Reduced manning – more work, less socialization, increased fatigue
Maritime security – shore leave, other crew restrictions
THE DRIVERS - POSITIVES
International Maritime Labour Convention
IMO STCW review and revision
Advancement programs
Improved technical training
Shipowner crewing – recognition that retention is a positive
THE “TRAPDOORS” Too much training or simulation as
a substitute for experience
Advancement too rapid
Move toward further reduced manning – more automation
People have to run the ship – not machines and computers as a substitute for common sense and experience
THE MARINERS’ PREDICAMENT?
“The hurry of the times, the loading and discharging
organization of the docks, the use of hoisting machinery which works quickly and will not wait, the cry for prompt despatch, the very size of his ship, stand nowadays between the modern seaman and the thorough knowledge of his craft”. Captain Joseph Conrad in The Mirror of the Sea, 1906
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION, 2006
Marshall Islands is the 181st member of the ILO
Second ILO member to ratify the Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention
Update and consolidation of some 60 previous conventions dating to the 1920’s
The 4th “Pillar”
MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION
Title 1: Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship
Title 2: Conditions of employment
Title 3: Accommodation, recreational facilities, food & catering
Title 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security
Title 5: Compliance and enforcement
“No more favourable treatment”
IMO STCW REVIEW AND REVISION
Comprehensive review of the 1995 Convention and Code underway;
Considering addition of BRM, ERM, ECDIS;
40th Session of STW to consider recommendations of ISWG along with safe manning criteria; and,
Target date of 2010 for adoption of amendments
MARSHALL ISLANDS ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
Registry program begun in India for advancement of ratings with 3 yrs experience to junior officer after requisite training
May be expended to other geographic regions if deemed successful
IMPROVED TECHNICAL TRAINING
New officer and rating training for competency in today’s emerging technology
LNG/LPG/CNG
Radio/electronics
Refrigeration
Emissions reduction
CREWING AND RETENTION
Trained and experienced mariners should be viewed as a valuable asset to any company;
More and more ship owners and managers are recognizing this;
Programs and incentives for retention are growing but more are needed.