It is well known that the purpose of carrying out any kind of drill and exersice on a ship is to make the crew acquainted with various procedures to be followed during emergency situations. It promotes the acquisition of knowledge or skill through systematic training by multiple repetitions, practice, and rehearsals in order to learn or become proficient. Realistic safety drills are the perfect training for survival in an unexpected emergency. Done diligently and regularly, they can save lives and help seafarers to survive the unexpected, the emergencies, (which appear in many different forms) and make them aware how resources, training and procedures can help people to do the correct things, almost instinctively when time comes. The instictive part flourishes only though systematic training by multiple repetitions, practice, and rehearsals.
There are two known conflicting facts of life onboard a ship that eventually have to do your safety:
Even in a well-built and well-run vessel, accidents resulting from material or human failure may occur, and can result in danger to the vessel and most importantly human lives; your lives;
Nobody really enjoys emergency drills & excersises, and for those which are unexpected and inconvenient, there is probably an element of active dislike. Diligent drills, which can drive the crew half mad, ultimately and undeniably save their lives.
Those who work and live on board must always be prepared to expect the unexpected, the consequences of which can result in fire or flood and possibly a subsequent need to abandon ship and to be rescued. You also need to be aware of the potential psychological effects of a crisis or traumatic experience at sea, and to know where you can find advice and support.
Regular onboard continuation training and realistic emergency drills are of paramount importance, not simply to satisfy the regulatory requirements or SOLAS but to ensure that, in the (hopefully unlikely) event of an incident occurring, the crew are well rehearsed on how to deal with the situation.
Good training and effective drills outcome may not have to be tested in a real emergency situation in your whole seafaring life but if needed rest assured that will pay off.
So what’s required in our safety drills on board? Each member of the crew must be familiar with their duties and use of relevant equipment and life-saving appliances. Crew shall have access to all training manuals, the station bill, and plans associated with emergency response procedures. The drill shall be conducted as if the emergency is existent. All equipment shall be utilized to the greatest extent possible during each drill without compromising the effectiveness of the equipment during a true emergency. This includes but is not limited to the operation of pumps, emergency-breathing apparatus, lowering of lifeboats, donning of fireman outfit, immersion suit donning etc. The drill should refresh basic safety training and ability to working as part of a team and that requires as many of the crew to be present as possible.
The debriefing should evaluate effectiveness of the drill overall, areas for improvement, concerns anyone may have about their responsibilities, and any comments regarding equipment, leadership, resources etc. If the drill or excersice fails in a number of critical stages don’t let it go in vain but rehearse again and learn from mistakes made.
The drill should refresh basic safety training and add an element of reality of working as part of a team onboard their own vessel. In witnessing a safe and effective drill, it is important that as many of the regular crew are present as possible.
As of 31st October, HSQE is initiating a new campaign onboard managed fleet matched with instructions provided to all attending Sup/dent and third party assigned inspectors / fleet safety trainers on carry out safety drills and exercises during their onboard attendances. The scenarios will vary and will be communicated at the time of the drill/exercise initiation. There should be no resentment to the execution of such drills unless there is a strong safety concern; in this case this should be communicated to the HSQE Department or DPA and final decision shall be mutually taken.
Moreover, prior executed drill reporting forms will be reviewed and evaluated to ensure that there are no lapses in frequency and elements covered during the drill execution. As indicated in our Safety Bulletin 20/2017, the SAFETY DRILLS must be programmed and timely executed to the last detail. The company does not tolerate any misreporting or partial reporting and above all not properly carried out drills and exercises. What is also important is to understand that there is zero tolerance on this matter.
Source: Z. Lempesi / HSQE Manager