Crew Training

Are YOU delivering it?

Something we always ask, “are you doing regular training or drills?” and the response from many operators is yeah, when we get time! While we understand that time is often limited but failing to do regular drills leaves you open to serious consequences.

Consequences can include but are not limited to:

1. In the event of an emergency situation crew not knowing what to do
2. Not knowing where the required equipment is. You did induct them didn’t you!
3. Serious injury or loss of life
4. Damage to or loss of vessel
5. A prohibition notice being issued by AMSA until such time as your crew are competent in emergency response

Being able to deal with emergency situations is a vital part of being a crew member and one that all should take seriously. By ensuring crew members are inducted properly and undergo regular training (drills) you not only make your operation safer but also comply with Marine Order 504.

Training is structured in 2 parts, the first being the initial emergency training when a new crew member joins the vessel and the second being ongoing training.

While there is no legislated interval for undertaking drills it is strongly recommend that they are undertaken monthly or at no more than 3 monthly intervals.

What are the most important drills?

All emergency drills are important but there are a few that rate higher up the scale and they are:

• Fire and not just a fire in the engine room which is what we see as the most common fire drill in most cases, but fires do occur in other places such as the galley, in accommodation and other areas.
• Person overboard (POB). A drill for a POB is usually undertaken for vessels underway but you should consider how to deal with a POB if at anchor.
• Person unaccountably missing. Again this should include when underway and at anchor if you do anchor.

These scenarios are key emergency response situations that need regular training in as they represent a major potential for serious injury and loss of life.

Other drills

 While the above drills are vital other drills are also important and should be undertaken regularly as well. A few of these include but are not limited to:

• medical emergency
• incapacitated Master
• collision
• grounding
• flooding
• abandon ship
• loss of propulsion
• loss of steering
• oil/fuel spill
• launching life raft or Carley floats
• line work

These are just a few to get you thinking but you need to schedule regular drills based on your vessel and its operations.

Recording drills

Undertaking drills is one thing but they must be recorded in the correct manner. Training records must include:

1. the date of the training
2. names of participants
3. details of training undertaken
4. signature of participants
5. Masters signature

In an investigation if the above details are not in place then the investigator will take the view that the training did not take place! So…make sure you record all your training correctly. You should also make a note of any crew inductions and training (drills) undertaken in your logbook.

You don’t have to run around the vessel every time a drill is undertaken, you can ask crew members what they would do in an emergency situation and then undertake a debriefing. Remember that physical drills are also a vital part of your training program.

Shorlink’s Recommendation

As a commercial vessel operator, YOU are responsible for ensuring regular drills are undertaken on your vessel/s.

As the Master you are responsible for ensuring all crew members can operate safely in emergency situations if necessary so don’t wait until its too late, get your drills underway today.

If you are the owner then we recommend that you check that the Master is undertaking drills on a regular basis to ensure the safety of your vessel and all persons onboard.

While we recommend undertaking regular training (drills) and don’t forget it is a requirement under Marine Order 504.

Tip

Don’t waste time thinking about drills make sure you are actively undertaking them regularly as they can and have saved vessels and lives.

Our best tip is to ensure regular drills are undertaken based on your vessel and its operations and make sure you record them correctly.