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Rule Making - Choice, join in the process or only follow the outcome
5 June, 2011
Whether or not we like it, STCW along with other standards,
minimum or otherwise are here to stay. As often commented seafarers’ voices are
missing in the making of the rules. However, seafarers can join organizations
and have their views put forward through them. Technology provides "sailing
seafarers" the opportunity shape the environment in which they work. Ships most
have yet to sign up to and embark on.
By its very nature successful seafaring requires people who
can get the job done whatever the weather keeping the people, ship, cargo and
environment safe. However, we all know that the quick fix or work around must
now be permanently repaired and not left based on “it works.”
In all industries or families, there is the generation gap
that with the advent of technology grows ever wider. Dry land sailors must and
to some extent are reaching out more effectively to those who venture on the
waters of the world.
Likewise, all must create a much higher media profile for the
industry and public imagination than presently exists. Something that it has
allowed to fade from the days of adventure on the high seas which having
weathered the storm has settled into something routine that goes on out of sight
and out of mind. Reversal of this mindset will not be easy. However, a course to
correct this offset must be steered by seafarers if they want to have a have a
say. The long bygone days of mighty ships prominent in what were the centers of
commerce, small by today’s yardsticks, transformed by maritime trade into the
huge centers of urban life that they are today are in the past, and will remain
so. Docklands and ports have fallen into disuse. Some now boast marinas and
taverns for relatively small elements of society. How many such places have made
the effort to put on display their past glories for the education and enjoyment
of all? With the multimedia world of today, this would be a fascinating
undertaking but who wants to fund it?
Airlines have their STCWs. Do we see the same antipathy there
as exists in the marine world against their rules and regulations? Their media
profile is away higher. The ships of the sky are seen and directly utilized
daily by millions of Joe Publics keeping them very much in the mind’s eye and
consciousness.
Pre maritime STCW we communicated by ship through letters
either hand written or bashed out on communal typewriters to school children
through ship adoption schemes. Today technology affords us the ability to do so,
so much more easily than in the past. Rather than adopt a ship, individual
Seafarers could go along to schools in their neighbourhood or those that
educated them and adopt them. Imagine what better way to improve what in my day
was geographical knowledge when combined with classes being able to follow at
least part of the voyages virtually live on AIS. It would also provide insights
into the flow of goods moving from one nation to another. There is much more and
such linkages would do much to lift the profile of the indispensable maritime
trade not only in children but also in the generation of parents that through
technology missed it. Those old salts turned landlubbers could do likewise with
tales of “how it was in my day.”
Use the technology of today to educate those developing into
the next generation to educate their past generation of the fantastic industry
we work in and through it, seafarers will have a much louder and effective voice
in the rules that today and will in the future increasingly govern their working
lives.
Think of this, “SEAFARER AMENDMENTS TO STCW.” Would this not
be preferable to compromises thrashed out over years of negotiation between flag
states and other interested parties taking years to implement thus making them
almost redundant before they are universally applied?
Seafarers have it within their grasp and arguably more so
today than ever before to be actively involved in shaping rule making. This is
can be done as individuals and collectively by actively supporting national and
multinational organisation such a The Nautical Institute, IMarEST, the MEPAs
(that do a great job already with school children) IFSMA and the likes. All like
organisations need much greater support from the grass roots than is currently
given. Join now and begin to make a difference.
Changes will continue in every avenue of life not only in the
maritime one. You can help shape your future. The question is will you be a
No Action Talk Only force or an effective one?
Cleary, the decision is yours. Jim Nicoll
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