Comments on: Nautilus survey confirms ‘poor social life at sea’ fears http://www.claymaitland.com/2010/03/05/nautilus-survey-confirms-poor-social-life-fears/ On a quest for quality in shipping Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:26:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Avneet Singh http://www.claymaitland.com/2010/03/05/nautilus-survey-confirms-poor-social-life-fears/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Avneet Singh Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:42:43 +0000 http://www.claymaitland.com/?p=249#comment-131 Well being a young seafarer myself, I can totally relate to what's happening on-board merchant vessels.Especially considering the performance & commercial pressure on a seafarer today, it is not only essential to have recreational facilities on-board but in my view it should be made compulsory by an International Organisation. These standards should be set taking into account the fact that some seafarers are on 9-10 months contracts which can be very stressful and can lead to adverse health both mentally and physically. On the other hand Officers like myself would also like more social activities on-board as it creates a very amicable atmosphere leading to better job performance and job satisfaction. I really hope shipowners can look into the moral aspect of things and make shipping a delightful profession that it is meant to be. Well being a young seafarer myself, I can totally relate to what’s happening on-board merchant vessels.Especially considering the performance & commercial pressure on a seafarer today, it is not only essential to have recreational facilities on-board but in my view it should be made compulsory by an International Organisation.
These standards should be set taking into account the fact that some seafarers are on 9-10 months contracts which can be very stressful and can lead to adverse health both mentally and physically. On the other hand Officers like myself would also like more social activities on-board as it creates a very amicable atmosphere leading to better job performance and job satisfaction. I really hope shipowners can look into the moral aspect of things and make shipping a delightful profession that it is meant to be.

]]> By: Chris McGuire http://www.claymaitland.com/2010/03/05/nautilus-survey-confirms-poor-social-life-fears/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Chris McGuire Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:27:11 +0000 http://www.claymaitland.com/?p=249#comment-106 A subject close to my heart Clay. Going back to the days of alcohol on ships, seafarers were not necessarily the most socially adapted people around. However they had a fit in society and more importantly had mates on the ships. They all spoke the same language and generally were from the same country. A huge advantage in maintaining a connection to your home country and being able to fit back in on your return. I must say that I am not sure that shipowners have come a long way since your example above. Have worked with some large shipowners and managers, the crew do not rate highly on these peoples radar. The sad truth is that if there is an injury or death then this will be the first time most shipowners will have heard of the employees name. Balancing this up, as a society we do not want to pay more than we have to for our food and goods. As such the need to charter ships for the least amount possible is a must. This is reflected in the crew engaged to operate the ships. BP on the other hand has taken a different approach. Their shipping division is not considered a business unit, but a means to transport their own cargo safely. As such the majority of crew are either English or Polish for half the fleet, and Indian for the other other half. By taking away the business imperitive, then the crews are more homgenous and will have a better social life on the ships, and hopefully at home. But that is enough from me. Keep up the good work Clay. A subject close to my heart Clay. Going back to the days of alcohol on ships, seafarers were not necessarily the most socially adapted people around. However they had a fit in society and more importantly had mates on the ships. They all spoke the same language and generally were from the same country. A huge advantage in maintaining a connection to your home country and being able to fit back in on your return.

I must say that I am not sure that shipowners have come a long way since your example above. Have worked with some large shipowners and managers, the crew do not rate highly on these peoples radar. The sad truth is that if there is an injury or death then this will be the first time most shipowners will have heard of the employees name.

Balancing this up, as a society we do not want to pay more than we have to for our food and goods. As such the need to charter ships for the least amount possible is a must. This is reflected in the crew engaged to operate the ships.

BP on the other hand has taken a different approach. Their shipping division is not considered a business unit, but a means to transport their own cargo safely. As such the majority of crew are either English or Polish for half the fleet, and Indian for the other other half. By taking away the business imperitive, then the crews are more homgenous and will have a better social life on the ships, and hopefully at home.

But that is enough from me. Keep up the good work Clay.

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