Features: - Tanker Operator

INDUSTRY - HUMAN FACTOR
Seagull focuses
training on upcoming
labour convention
As momentum builds towards ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006,
Seagull has launched a new training package to ensure that shipping companies and
their senior officers meet the standards required for implementation and compliance.
In laying out comprehensive rights and
protection at work for more than 1.2
mill seafarers worldwide, the
International Labour Organisation’s
(ILO) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
(MLC 2006) consolidates and updates more
than 65 international labour standards related
to seafarers adopted over the last 80 years.
The convention has also been characterised
by IMO secretary general Efthimios
Mitropoulos as critical to the future of
shipping. Mitropoulos observed that
“seafarers deserve it as much as the shipping
industry needs it if it is to continue to be a
viable and attractive career option for the sort
of high calibre people it increasingly needs.”
According to the ILO, in ships flying the
flags of countries that do not exercise
effective jurisdiction and control over them,
seafarers often have to work under
A Seagull MLC screenshot.
18
unacceptable conditions, to the detriment of
their well-being, health and safety.
However, the need to develop new
standards for seafarer employment is not
simply a ‘quality of life’ issue, or one of terms
of employment. The high proportion of marine
accidents traceable to human error is well
proven. Analysis by IMO's sub-committee on
flag state implementation established that, of
187 instances of groundings and collisions, in
150 cases the ‘human element’ was a
contributory factor.
Clearly, working hours and working
conditions also contribute to seafarer
competency.
Developing a set of standards that is at once
globally applicable, understandable, readily
updatable and uniformly enforceable has
proved to be what Mitropoulos termed “a
Herculean task”.
Nevertheless, MLC 2006 enforcement is
approaching fast. The first ratification criteria
for the convention to enter into force - that
flags representing at least 33% of world
tonnage should have signed up – was reached
in February 2009. The second ratification
criteria – that at least 30 member states should
have signed up – could be met as early as
December 2010. Entry into force is scheduled
for 12 months after the date that both criteria
are met – pointing towards enforcement from
the end of 2011 to early 2012 onwards.
As those familiar with other aspects of
maritime law can vouch, it is one thing to
ratify and implement a maritime convention,
and quite another to ensure compliance.
However, the prospect of inspectors from flag
states, or their recognised organisations,
boarding ships to establish crewing levels, the
quality of accommodation, catering standards,
health and safety standards and medical care
and on board complaint procedures brings
with it far reaching new responsibilities for
senior officers on board ship. Again,
shipowners, as employers, will need to be able
to provide documentation regarding hours of
work, rest periods, grievances, etc.
CBT module introduced
Familiarity with the convention itself, its
inspection regime and how to comply with it
will thus be critical. For this reason,
computer-based training (CBT) specialist
Seagull AS has just launched an introductory
module, providing an overview of the
background, structure and content of the MLC
2006 to all on board and shore-based
personnel that will be involved in initial and
ongoing compliance with the convention.
“The proposed Seagull solution comprises a
number of elements which it is felt will assist
shipping companies in meeting the
requirements and fulfilling their responsibilities
TANKEROperator June 2010