Seaways Focus - October 2024
Sharing experience
by John Lloyd FNI Chief Executive, The Nautical Institute
As the leading professional organisation for mariners focusing on Continuing Professional Development, I am thrilled to see the positive energy and engagement through so many of our points of contact with the maritime community.
For many years we have been industry leaders in the offshore energy sector with special qualifications for Dynamic Positioning Operators and more recently, in 2021, we released a special scheme for technical staff on DP vessels though our DPVM (Dynamic Positioning Vessel Maintainers) qualification. I am pleased and proud to say that we have recently issued the one thousandth DPVM certificate. This is testimony to the importance that the industry places on supporting their staff to be as good as they can be. This helps make the industry safer and more sustainable.
"Safe transit of merchant shipping is an essential component of world trade; mariners deserve our support and thanks for all the work they do."
Congratulations to our DPVM Certificate awardees and a huge ‘thumbs up’ to the companies supporting the scheme. You are a great example to others.
In October I will be carrying the message of professional development to the Marine Technologies Society Dynamic Positioning event in Houston, Texas where I will discuss the changes to the revalidation requirements for DPO qualifications. The enhanced learning and assessment help ensure the programme we offer remains popular with industry and that DPOs remain up-to-date with regulatory changes and best industry practice. Over the years, the continual updating of the DP qualification has resulted in a remarkable improvement in the offshore safety record, and the NI is proud to play a part in this.
It is very important we share our experiences with others and I was pleased to share my thoughts as part of the opening panel session at the Safety-4-Sea conference in London during September. A great gathering of professionals in the maritime sector came together to consider a range of contemporary issues.
The first session addressed effective strategies for experience transfer. This is a great subject in itself, and noting the recent release of the next edition of Mentoring at Sea, it was a pleasure to showcase our thoughts and activities. When we consider another new edition: The Simulation Instructors’ Handbook it is clear that supporting professional development is central to the values and activities of The Nautical Institute. Thank you to the authors and all those in the editorial support side of things who helped make these books possible.
Later in the year, during the last week of November, the International Maritime Human Factors Symposium will be held in London. The Nautical Institute has had a leading role in developing the programme and planning for the event along with the event partners. With the headquarters of the IMO as the venue for this prestigious event, we are sure to attract superb speakers from industry and the academic community. We look forward to seeing delegates from all over the world. Details of the event can be found here.
Of course, it is not only presentations from the HQ team that showcase the work of The Nautical Institute. Our branch network enables us to engage with key issues with the local community and to address matters of critical importance at a local level – in this issue of Seaways alone, we have reports from major Branch events in Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. Thank you to all our branch officers who help deliver this really important engagement.
Safety of shipping is a key concern for us all. Safe transit of merchant shipping is an essential component of world trade; I send my best wishes to every mariner having to trade through areas of risk, uncertainty and instability. You deserve our support and thanks for the work you do. Your job is complex and challenging enough without the added concern of the risk of attack from the sea or shore, attack from independent operators or government-backed activities. You are in our thoughts every day as you work in service of the global community. Thank you.
And finally, it is always a pleasure when merchant mariners are recognised for their work. I am so pleased to see the recipients of the UK’s Merchant Navy for Meritorious Service announced in September. It is wonderful that four of the awardees are members of The Nautical Institute and I offer my congratulations to you all.