Vessel Inductions

Are YOU doing them?

While most operators know that they have to induct new crew members onto their vessel, many simply just brush over them OR fail to do them at all!

It may seem like a waste of time, but we can assure you it’s not and in the event of an emergency situation a well-done induction may be the difference between efficiently and effectively dealing with the situation.

A detailed vessel induction is a critical component of starting new crew members and ensuring they have the knowledge in dealing with emergency situations. Consider if you had a fire in the engine room and crew members didn’t know where the air or fuel shut offs were located.

We often hear that the Master does not want anyone touching them but what if the Master was incapacitated. It’s vital that all crew members know where they are and how to use them.

Here’s a list of things that should be included in a vessel induction:

• Introduction into the vessels Safety Management System
• Detailed tour of the vessel identifying structural/operational hazards such as low head height areas, stairs/steps, restricted areas, etc.
• Identifying high risk areas such as winches, freezer holds, etc.
• Location of air and fuel shut offs and how to use them
• Location of engine room fans (if fitted) and how to turn them off
• Location of fire extinguishers including what type they are, what they are used for and how to get them out of their bracket which is a critical issue we have identified
• Location of fire buckets
• Location of fire blanket/s and how to use them
• Location of fire hydrants and fire hoses (where fitted) and how to use them
• Location of the suppression system (if fitted) release and how to activate it
• Location of all lifebuoys including which have the light or line and how to deploy them
• Location of lifejackets and how to don them
• Location of the life raft (if fitted) and how to deploy it
• Location of the medical supplies including day use items if applicable
• Location of the flares
• Location of assembly station/s
• Identification and use of operational appliances/equipment
• Identification of any specialised equipment

The above is an initial guide only and any vessel induction should be based on the vessel, its area of operation and operations undertaken.

While all this may seem like a lot it does not take as much time as you think and it provides valuable operational knowledge for the new crew member as well as covering off on legal requirements.

The first step in being able to respond safely and efficiently to emergencies is knowing where safety and fire appliances are and how to use them. The second step is training which we’ll cover off on next week.

Being able to respond to emergencies may well be the key component to saving your vessel and/or all persons onboard so is a detailed induction worthwhile? You bet your life it is!

Shorlink’s Recommendation

If you operate any sort of commercial vessel we strongly recommend ensuring all new crew members be given a detailed induction into the vessel to ensure they know where all the safety and fire appliances are located and they know how to use them.

While we recommend undertaking detailed vessel inductions… don’t forget it is a requirement under Marine Order 504 that all new crew members are inducted.

Tip

Even if a new crew member has been on a similar vessel with similar operations they must be inducted. We often hear “I know about this stuff and where it is” but when put to the test they usually fail in a big way.

Our best tip is not to just show them around your vessel to tick a box but ensure they know how to use all the safety and fire appliances onboard. It may just save your life!

If you need more information on crew inductions or would like Shorlink to undertake them for you please don’t hesitate to contact our office.