Seaways November 2023

It was my pleasure last month to represent The Nautical Institute at a major Dynamic Positioning  conference in Houston, USA.

Captain John Lloyd FNI Chief Executive

Embracing learning

The Marine Technology Society annual DP conference brings together practitioners, experts, suppliers and regulators from across the industry with the main focus on how new developments are making operations safer – and can continue to do so in future.

It was my pleasure last month to represent The Nautical Institute at a major Dynamic Positioning conference in Houston, USA. The Marine Technology Society annual DP conference brings together practitioners, experts, suppliers and regulators from across the industry with the main focus on how new developments are making operations safer – and can continue to do so in future.

We hope that our own leadership in making CPD a formal part of revalidating DPO certificates will lead to a reduction in incidents and a safer environment for us all. My thanks to all the companies and individuals who have embraced this approach.

Safety is not just about regulations and procedures, though these can undoubtedly help. It is about culture and leadership.

Creating a safety culture

There is more for you to read about safety management and safety systems in this edition of Seaways which I hope you will find invaluable, and will be a useful start to conversations. Safety is not just about regulations and procedures, though these can undoubtedly help. It is about culture and leadership. Making the single most important factor ‘everyone goes home safe this voyage’. Looking after ourselves and looking after others is central to a strong safety culture and as members of The Nautical Institute others look to us for the right example and the right way of doing things.

Conferences such as the one in Houston, and our other recent DP conference in Sharm el Sheikh provide the ideal opportunity to engage with our expert maritime community. One of my own favourite areas to understand is maritime simulation. This is especially
important right now as we consider the role simulation will be allowed to play in the next revision of STCW.

At the end of November, The Nautical Institute, in collaboration with the Singapore Maritime Academy will host a technical and professional conference and discussion about the role of maritime simulation. We will start this discussion by hearing more than 100 students share their experiences of the use of simulators (good and bad) and bringing their views and comments to the table so we can all help develop a better and more effective training environment for the future.

Join us to help shape the future of STCW and the role of simulation today, tomorrow and far into the future. Find out more and book your ticket here.

The human side

While simulation and technology will be a great asset to our future developments, we must never lose sight of the critical role that people play in key decisions on board our ships and on shore. The Nautical Institute is pleased to be actively supporting the Human Factors Conference being hosted by Strathclyde University at the end of November. We will be providing expert speakers and specialists ensuring research and theory gets translated into something meaningful for our maritime community. You can learn more about this event at https://imhfs.com I hope you will find time toexplore some of these important issues.

There has, inevitably been a good deal of focus on machine learning and the use of AI in recent years – but it is only by maintaining our own, human, learning and development that we will really be able to enhance safety, and conferences like this are an important way of doing so. Let me extend my thanks to our volunteer speakers, members and industry stakeholders who have committed so much time and effort to support these events. Without your input, progress in these important areas would inevitably be delayed and of a lower calibre. Thank you.

Volunteering

In closing let me build on the theme of volunteering. The strength of The Nautical Institute lies in our amazing membership. Your experience and commitment lie at the heart of our international reputation. We are pleased to provide administrative support and technical guidance through the Executive team at headquarters. To do this effectively we need your participation in the key governance function that guide our direction and priorities. Joining these Committees helps shape our future and our success.

We especially want contributions from our members
(young and old) to support:

• The Nautical Institute Council;
• The Professional Development Committee;
• Executive Board.

To learn more about these opportunities and how  you can help shape the NI of tomorrow, please drop me
a line at [email protected]
Thanks and very best wishes,
John