Onboard ship Experience

Leadership practices is way of efficient and successful handling many situation. On board the ship Captain is always the leader even though chances will always be given to others in terms of training how to handle specific or particular matters. As a deck cadet initially have to observe such practices very carefully in order to take a turn in several ship operation tasks. On my first ship after spending months on deck ship was to have an internal audit so it was the most suitable time for me to act as a leader under chief officer supervision to prepare for the inspection. Basically the target is very simple to get minimum observations so I had to go through the company procedures and arrangements regarding matters related to deck department. planning, discussing, controlling and monitoring the daily works is a challenging starting from preparing the work plan for the deck rating according to deficiencies  were found on deck to be fixed and inventories such dispensary and pollution control equipment. I might not be able to cover what was done all here and even though the Chief Officer was the de facto leader as head of deck department but I was given a perfect chance to learn such very important skills and through very hard working spending nights of checking everything and providing alternatives plans if needed. After audit conducted by the superintendent the ship had a minimum observation which considered a very good result for the ship status. Before this I was always reading about leadership but when it comes to practical it’s a different story need a well prepared person, cooperative team, positive thoughts and motivation as well to provide a perfect environment for encouraging all the crew to perform their best. That was my very first experience for leadership onboard the ship but not last.

 I had to be in charge sometimes for mooring operations for allowing the officer to have a rest before commencing cargo operation and to gain the practical knowledge how to handle the operation. Mooring operation is one of the most critical operation on board cause there is only very fine allowance to make a mistake and there could be a huge impact on the ship and crew safety if things gone slightly wrong . the complication of the operation includes that the pilot will be communicating with the tug boats pushing the ship against the wharf and advising the captain the start sequence which the captain will instruct the officers in charge forward and aft simultaneously and then the OIC have to instruct the members about the required action . so as a leader in the mooring station I have to maintain a multiple communications one with captain to receive and acknowledge his instruction and instructing the crew accordingly and which crew to assign for that particular instruction for example able bodied to handle the heavy wires into the chocks while who ordinary seaman can be assigned as winch operator moreover, I have to monitor very closely the safety practices done by crew as it’s very crucial and can cause fatalities in worst cases scenarios . all these need to be completed in a very short time so my first time I was very nervous but thanks to god it went smoothly and when I have done it more often it become easier. 

Last but not least I would like to share how captain trained us for cargo operation. One day prior berthing one member must demonstrate the whole operation by simulation and act as a chief officer. this need a very clear understanding of the cargo manual . The leadership skill here is how to employ deck hands In several locations at the same time throughout the operation such is cooling down the pipe lines , starting the pumps and checking any potential leakage while in cargo control room operate the valves monitoring very closely the temperatures and pressure of the tanks and pipes and maintain communication with engine control room and  shore personnel . that was my very humble experience for leadership during my one year cadetship onboard LNG vessels which I’m very thankful for my trainers to give me such chances in order to gain the skill since the early stage of officer life and apart from the skill it allowed me to learn a lot and see things I didn’t make the required attention for it before in respect to the importance level. Correct leadership practices onboard is always needed to ensure safe operation for the crew, ship, cargo and environment. 

All pictures were taken by me