The Greeks had a word for it
Posted on | December 10, 2009 | No Comments
“Shipping, like any other technical matter, depends mainly upon thorough training, and it is not appropriate to deal with it in an incidental or occasional manner. On the contrary, one has to be constantly involved, without being distracted by anything else.”
Pericles, in Thucydides’ “History” I, 142
Greeks have always known a thing or two about the shipping industry, and operational issues were apparently a concern in classical times, as they are today. Pericles lived in an age that abounded in great thinkers, and as one contemplates (or tries to) the problems of training and retention of seafarers, it is clear that he, and other big names of those days, would have been well aware of the issues faced by seafarers, and those who employ them, today.
For example:
1. Recruitment;
2. Retention;
3. Adequate hours of rest, shore leave and recreation;
4. Criminalization;
5. Need for adequate shipboard accommodation, for trainees and cadets;
6. Design of accommodation aboard ship; habitability;
7. Proper and efficient design of work spaces, particularly bridge;
8. Adequate training and particularly experience levels of officers promotes to higher ranks;
9. Cost-cutting, cheaper crews, resurfacing with downturn;
10. Need to end commoditized, “casual labour” talent-blind hiring habits;
11. Need to formalize a real career track, or path, for the qualified seafarer; and
12. Fostering communication links with seafarers’ families
Trust, pride and professionalism are not empty words. One of the aims of this blog is to interact with seafarers and your families, and learn about your lives and careers, and the things that we shore-based types need to do, to be more — in Pericles’ words — constantly involved. Over the coming days, let’s have a frank discussion.
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