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Dear Shiptalk Readers,
Welcome to this the March 2008 edition of the Shiptalk newsletter.
Please take your time to read what we have to say this month about issues affecting your everyday lives at sea and do let us know if you have an opinion or comments on any of this month's articles or other issues that you would like to air via Shiptalk.com.
Shiptalk.com……reading you loud and clear
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ShiptalkIMAGES.com provides media companies with a helpful image resource for the design and development of online and print media projects for maritime based companies and organisations. Alternatively marine companies may be creating internal documents that would benefit from the use of good imagery, or publicists who need to bring their stories to life with relevant imagery.
We are sure we can provide you with the image you have been looking for so not why not drop us an image enquiry at enquiries@shiptalkimages.com and we will see what we can do for you.
“Wet weekend in port” Andy Madge
| CARERRS/WELFARE Abandoned No More Please Sir Can I Have More? New Pay Award Who Gets What? Poster Boys SECURITY SAFETY GENERAL SEAGOING VACANCIES SHORE BASED VACANCIES WHAT'S ON WHERE? |
CARERRS/WELFARE
Abandoned No More
It is all too easy for us softies who have swallowed the anchor and moved ashore to forget the hold employers have over seafarers. While we desk jockies and PC lackies don't expect that much from employers…you know, just a bit of cash at the end of the month, perhaps the odd evening bowling with the people we hate in accounts…but those at sea are rather more beholden to their Principals.
All too often dodgy shipping companies the world over are prone to simply cutting their losses on bad or disputed tonnage, and they simply leave their former crews to fight for themselves. This despicable act sees seafarers the world over simply abandoned.
Abandonment of seafarers seemingly reached its nadir in the 1990's when numerous bankruptcies led to hundreds of developing world seafarers being left to fend for themselves. Now perhaps with the “Credit Crunch” eating away at company confidence and balance sheets we may be entering another dark period unless we guard against it.
According to the ITF there are around 25 ongoing cases of abandonment at present, and while some crews are able to get fed, clothed and even to get back home – for others such struggles can turn into incredibly long and drawn out sagas, which often reduce proud seafarers to fall on the kind, sweet mercy of local residents and the Mission to Seafarers, Apostleship of the Sea, etc.
Thankfully though, it looks like change is in the air, and after an incredibly protracted saga shipping unions and employers are finally coming closer to a means to guard against abandoned seafarers.
International Shipping Federation and International Transport Workers' Federation negotiators met at the International Labour Organisation in Geneva last month and agreed on the need for financial arrangements to be established for such seafarers.
A document, ‘Statement by the social partners' summarised the apparent agreement between the two sides on provision of a mandatory “effective financial security system for abandonment”.
Despite the long running saga it is still early days, but with the two sides set to meet again within six months, and with requests to the IMO and ILO for drafting assistance, perhaps the days of sailors being forced to live on a diet of old sausages and dressed in incongruous knitwear are over…except of course for those who like that kind of thing.
When Shiptalk had the bright idea of surveying our seagoing readership there were a few answers which we pretty much guessed from the off, but we never realised how true the old saying “another day another dollar” was to many at sea today.
We thought you were in it for the glamour, respect and prestige? But no, it seems that money, mazuma, moolah, spondulicks...call it what you will, has emerged as the main attraction of going to sea. While glimpses of whales, the odd green flash and friendly natives are all well and good it is the cash that makes the magic happen.
Over 30% of those who expressed a preference, said pay was the top factor that attracted them to the career in the first place. Once the shock has died down, it might be more positive to note that the 45% said they were in working at sea for the long haul, and that they intended to remain as seafarers until retirement.
Asked the reasons for choosing a job at sea, some 16% bluntly admitted “for the money” and a further 15.8% said “better wages than jobs at home”, meaning that nearly a third of respondents had thought first and foremost of pay...the harlots.
There are still some gentlemen (and ladies) out there – as interestingly, 22.4% simply “wanted a career at sea”, 18.4% wanted “to see the world” and 7.6% mentioned “family tradition”…If it weren't for your Editors peg-leg and eye patch he'd be back at sea like a shot.
Full details of the survey can be viewed online at: www.shiptalkjobs.com/survey_results
Which brings us neatly around to the fact that around twenty thousand seafarers in India are set to benefit from a new wage deal agreed between unions and the shipowners according to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).
The ITF says that two of its affiliates, the National Union of Seafarers of India and the Forward Seamen's Union of India, reached the National Maritime Board agreement with the Indian National Shipowners' Association last month.
The deal covers seafarers working on Indian vessels operating in both foreign and domestic waters and offshore. They will receive the equivalent of about US$995 in arrears covering the period from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2008 , which ITF describes as a 24% rise.
They will also receive an overall wage increase of 15% from April this year until the end of March 2010, a further rise in on-board messing and “death and disability” benefits as well as an increase in other allowances, such as those for working on tankers or on vessels carrying radioactive materials.
A sub-committee has also been established to look into a range of other issues including rosters, seafarers working to contract and promotion.
Mahendra Sharma, ITF Deputy Asia-Pacific Regional Secretary, welcomed the NMB agreement. He said: “The deal comes after eight long years. In the end it is a victory for Indian Seafarers and provides them with a good deal.”
Well done chaps, after all as they say round here “Shy bairns get nowt”!
Actually seeing as you are all so money mad…we thought you might be interested in the results of the 2007 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). This is the official figures for the UK 's highest and lowest paid jobs.
The survey, which was conducted by the UK Office of National Statistics, covers the average pay for full-time workers from around 300 trades and professions. And, last years survey also revealed that the average weekly pay for UK employees grew by 2.9 per cent year-on-year to reach £457 per week.
Drum roll please…the UK 's best paid jobs are.
1. Directors and Chief Executives
Average Salary: £212,910
2. General Practitioners (GPs)
Average Salary: £110,000
3. Brokers
Average Salary: £94,293
4. Financial Managers and Chartered Secretaries
Average Salary: £77,931
5. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
Average Salary: £63,664
6. Civil Servants (Senior)
Average Salary: £54,950
7. Police Officers (Inspector and above)
Average Salary: £54,241
8. Managers (marketing and sales)
Average Salary: £54.029
9. Lawyers, Judges and Coroners
Average Salary: £52,049
10. Air Traffic Controllers
Average Salary: £51,911
11 Editor of Shiptalk News
Entry requirements: Childish sense of humour, low standard of grammar, and nothing better to do. Average Salary: A warm fuzzy glow of contentment once a month.
Well there you are, pretty predictably company directors and chief executives continue to dominate the number one spot with an average salary of £212,910 per year – an increase of 30 per cent since 2006. Yup the “man” keeps getting the cream, and this is remarkably 20 times the amount earned by library assistants – the ignominious holders of the worst paid job award earning on average £10,749.
So you will have noted that seafarers don't make the list…ah well back to stocking the Shiptalk library shelves for us, and the odd peek at Lady Chatterley's Lover for sweet succour…
Due to the looming deadline for this months news there is only time to quickly mention that a recent joint campaign by the International Shipping Federation (ISF), the International Chamber of shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) to promote the IMO /ILO Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the event of a Maritime Accident, has been endorsed by the IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos.
Hooray, big pats on the back all round!
The campaign encourages members of ISF/ICS and ITF to approach Governments to promote the Guidelines and monitor how effectively they are being implemented...and just to pour oil on any troubled waters there is even a nice poster to remind the good guys of what the bad guys should be doing, i.e. treating them fairly.
The poster also stresses the need for seafarers to understand their rights, and to know how to protect their best interests:
- If necessary get a lawyer
- Tell the company
- Make sure you understand what's going on...or
- If you don't understand stop answering and get an interpreter!
As our good friend, lawyer George Chalos says, "Only fish with their mouths open get caught"...
More information can be found at:
www.itfglobal.org/fairtreatment and www.marisec.org/fairtreatment
SECURITY
Psycho Stowaway
Don't get us wrong, most P&I Club advice is great – especially the guidance they provide when it comes to stowaways. Don't let them swab the decks, try and get their names, put them in a comfy cabin, feed them etc, etc, and find out where they come from.
However, this is easier said than done when you find out they may have come from Hades and are preoccupied with bombarding the crew with missiles and threatening to set light to the ship.
It seemed just a regular stowaway incident last month, when a Turkish man was found on board the vessel “Caprojo” a 16,000-tonne container ship registered in Liberia , as she steamed off the Suffolk Coast.
Initially the ship's master simply reported the stowaway, but the incident escalated and the ship was declared a hazard to shipping as the man went crazy and turned violent.
A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: "The man had been found stowing away and had gone berserk. Police said the man would be questioned and then handed to immigration officials.
"Having initially been compliant, he began throwing missiles to crew and threatened to set light to flammable substances being carried on board.
"The ship was declared a hazard to shipping and could not be moved until incident had been safely resolved."
The Caprojo was eventually taken into the Port of Felixstowe , where the detained man was handed to local Police. A 34-year-old man was subsequently questioned by police on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a ship.
We can just see a new TV series…”When Good Stowaways Go Bad”…time to dust off the straightjackets it seems.
If the contrary nature of maritime safety wasn't bad enough, The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), has decided that Nigeria is not dangerous enough to warrant “war zone” status, despite the bombings, deaths, kidnappings and hijacks.
The rather grandly titled “International Bargaining Forum” brings together a significant number of owners of open registry vessels and seafarers' unions to argue, sorry “bargain”, on such matters as pay, conditions, etc.
In deciding that Nigeria should not be declared a “war zone” they have removed the ability for seafarers to decline service in the affected zone and to receive "danger money" bonuses. Apparently the statistics prepared by the International Maritime Employers' Committee of security incidents in Nigeria over the past two years, fell short, in their view, of full warlike conditions.
Instead the IBF decided to draw up specific security guidelines and an action plan for vessels calling at Nigeria . Such measures include:
- Possible implementation of higher security measures.
- Getting detailed local advice about the security situation
- Timing arrivals and departures to coincide with security patrols operated by Nigerian Government forces.
- Restricting or prohibiting Shore leave
- Avoiding crew changes in Nigeria unless absolutely essential.
- Keeping seafarers families advised of the security measures being adopted
- Also the IBF will, “write as a matter of urgency to the Nigerian authorities urging them to increase security in port areas and approaches”, and;
- They will also write to the authorities in the Philippines “to seek clarification of the most recent Advisory Notice concerning deployments to ships in the liner trade”.
So there you have it… Bonny Island has never seemed bonnier!
However, those wishing to sample the delights of the Niger Delta might like to note that the UK Foreign Office provides the following advice: “We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States , including Port Harcourt ) and advise British nationals in these States to leave”.
The rather unequivocal view is based on the “very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas”. Since January 2006, 36 British nationals, (including one child), and more than 180 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed.
Just in case there is any uncertainty they state that “If, despite this advice, you decide to travel to, or remain in, the Niger Delta or the riverine areas of Cross River State , you do so at your own risk ”.
Let's hope the skills of the International Bargaining Forum extend to negotiating with kidnappers…
All comments should be attributed to Paul Singer, vice president business development at global maritime security service provider, Securewest International
The report by Shiptalk, “Alarming News” Shiptalk Newsletter Feb 08, relating the conclusions reached by Thomas Timlen in his study on the usefulness (or not) of SSAS are interesting, but before we chuck the baby out with the bath water, perhaps some balance is required here?
The statement that the SSAS system as a whole needs a major rethink is perhaps not quite hitting the nail on the head. Rather we should really be addressing the fact that many vessels still do not operate SSAS to a satisfactory level or indeed understand its exact purpose.
Attacks continue to dog the sector, but who can say exactly how many attacks may have been suppressed by the introduction of new regulations including ISPS and SSAS in the first place? Equally, SSAS was not designed to be the cure-all for such incidents.
SSAS certainly has room for improvement but, as with many maritime security regulations, compliance is the key here. When regulations are passed the tendency is to drag feet for as long as possible until the deadline looms and then comply to the bare minimum levels laid down by the IMO. SSAS is no different, but simply meeting compliance guidelines is not enough – the aim should be to exceed them. Training and consultation are a must.
The statement that the ‘bad guys' seem to be more competent at finding and controlling SSAS than the crew is a dubious one (though we would agree that freely available AIS is a gold mine of information to unauthorised users). At Securewest International we monitor over 16m tonnes of shipping and are not aware of this situation, and we would be surprised if unauthorised users were hacking into the satellite systems.
If it is the case that there is interference onboard with terminals, then it is the fault of installers and also those companies who fail to train their crew correctly. SSAS terminals on board a vessel should not be obvious to anyone. No identifying labels on the terminal box, mast head units or obvious newly installed, brightly coloured wiring running away from the bridge that could easily be cut.
When it comes to increasing the effectiveness of SSAS, security of the box is paramount. All buttons should be sensibly placed. SSAS regulations state that there have to be a minimum of two alert buttons on board but it should be remembered that this does not preclude the positioning of a number of buttons.
The incident involving the Danica White has indeed served as a useful insight, not least because it once again shows how costly piracy is for the companies concerned, and emotionally damaging for the crew involved. The Danica White also highlights the need for proper training for crews. It is a sad state of affairs when money has been spent installing SSAS systems but the crew have no idea how to operate it or where the alert buttons are. Therefore it is clear that training, testing and drilling are the watchwords for SSAS.
In terms of real uncertainty for crews when it comes to deciding whether or not to activate the system ‘for fear of being shot or blown out of the water by the good guys', firstly the alert is a silent one – that is the whole point. Buttons should be non latching and consultation taken before installation as to where they should be positioned. If all of this is done correctly then the system can be activated easily, quickly and without suspicion. Non latching buttons are designed so that no clue is left that the button has been depressed.
Our advice to all our client's crews is ‘if in doubt – activate'. If there are proper procedures ashore (and I will touch on this later) then the relevant Administration will not penalise anyone for using the SSAS as an alert in a case where, at the time, there was a genuine concern or reason to activate.
It should be remembered too that SSAS is designed to provide the authorities ashore with detailed knowledge that the security of a vessel has been compromised and also to then provide both its current position and track and heading for as long as possible thereafter. It was not designed for the immediate launch of the cavalry to the rescue – though if the threat is such that interception or interdiction is required then this could well happen at some point.
The issue of attacks continuing to take place regardless of the ‘flag state swinging into action' is perhaps a red herring in this case. What is known though is that the ability for authorities to pin point the position of a vessel under threat is vital, and a current ongoing case of a seized vessel proves this point.
Many states just don't have the resources for direct action and flag states are often unable to unilaterally take any direct action when one of their vessels is taken by pirates in some far off ‘hot spot' and, this could be argued, goes some way to fueling further attacks. However, they can at least liaise with other governments who in turn might call upon the resources of such forces as Coalition or NATO Task Forces. As has been seen off Somalia , the arrival of a large grey hull usually yields results and most certainly will not have gone un-noticed by other pirate gangs ashore.
Those who do come to the assistance of a vessel are more than likely to be the military or special forces. As anyone in the military knows the element of surprise is one of the greatest ‘weapons' and that is principally why the SSAS alarm is silent.
It must be remembered that the pirates come from extreme poverty, which in turn makes them desperate men. Many of these bandit groups will continue to attack vessels regardless – that is what desperate people do. However, the path of least resistance is the favoured route for many such groups. If a target is easy then they will go for it. Those vessel owners who move beyond the line of compliance are going to create more barriers to potential attack.
As for being ‘blown out of the water by the good guys'? Again, perhaps this is taking things a little too far!
Finally, one additional area of SSAS that is open to criticism, but often missed, is the issue of who exactly is managing and monitoring at the other end? Unlike Securewest International's permanently manned Maritime Assistance Centre, many alerts may be transferred to an automated system or even a mobile phone voice mail with a machine taking the vital call rather than experienced personnel. Delays or event failure to report or the ability to relay to the authorities other vital information are perhaps a more poignant matter for debate?
SAFETY
Bad Luck to Worse
To be hoisted by your own petard has always sounded a particularly nasty way to go…rather like being holed by your own container.
Last month saw Northern Europe lashed by storms, and pounded by heavy seas. There were many accidents, incidents and dramatic helicopter rescues, but perhaps one of the most unfortunate incidents was that of the refrigerated cargo ship “Horncliff”.
The “Horncliff” was battered by storms when a container swept off the deck of and pierced the vessel's hull. The vessel on charter to fruit giant Del Monte, eventually managed to arrive in Falmouth, and was found to have a 300 mm gash on the port side forward of the accommodation block.
Altogether, 58 refrigerated 40 ft containers on the deck were washed into the sea during a storm. Another 41 remained on the ship, including four that are badly damaged.
As one might expect, the containers were loaded with bananas and, according to experts, “do not pose any pollution risk”. Though of course banana skins can cause serious injury if slipped upon…Local residents on the South Coast are advised to see Chaplin, Keaton, Laurel, Hardy and Jimmy Cricket for further details of the dangers posed by such misplaced cargo.
There appears a rather puzzling development gripping maritime safety recently – and some seemingly conflicting news had us scratching our heads somewhat.
It all started when the port State Control regions of Tokyo and Paris released news of last years Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on ISM Code issues. They reportedly found that all is well in the world, and that ISM has finally broken into the hearts and minds of the shipping industry.
In the Paris region 1 out of 5 inspections showed ISM deficiencies (non-conformities), and despite some serious problems the port State authorities felt, “the CIC shows that the ISM system is starting to work onboard ships”.
While in Tokyo region the view was even more upbeat… “It does appear that…for most ships and ISM operators, the safety management system is functioning and understood on board.”
So on the whole it sounds pretty good – ISM was meant to make ships safer, and now it seems to be working. Phew, but hang on, this silver lining was given something of a dark cloud when Det Norske Veritas (DNV) announced the rapid growth of the shipping fleet and a shortage of officers has led to a doubling in the number of accidents over the last five years.
Well that sure put a damper on proceedings, as according to Torkel Soma, Principal Safety Consultant in DNV Maritime, “DNV's statistics shows that a ship is twice as likely to be involved in a serious grounding, collision or contact accident today compared to only five years ago”.
Blimey…so there you have it ISM is working, but the ship is now doubly likely to hit the fan (as it were)…so what are we to think? Probably best not to think too much we reckon, just get more qualified and skilled people onto ships quick smart.
GENERAL
Trawling the Net
What a strange month for the undersea telecommunications industry, with cables snapping, breaking and generally going “A over T” all over the Middle East.
At first it seemed that one breakage was perhaps unlucky, two unfortunate, but three…heck that's a conspiracy theory in the making.
Yes, as pimpled youths from Cairo to Kabul bemoaned the lack of bandwidth to enable them to blast their friends with virtual guns, and with them having to go and make do with the real thing instead. The world of finance, entertainment and of virtual networking collapsed around us, a truly modern day disaster.
The criss-cross maze of undersea cables is perhaps the forgotten tool that makes the modern world work, and as with most things it's only when broken do you truly appreciate them. With most dullards thinking that satellites make the communications world go round, it is interesting to note just how much we rely on the streams of light whizzing under the sea.
This is perhaps more serious than not being able to poke your new chums on Facebook. When one thinks of security threats, it is the thoughts of the Limburg and of burning LNG Tankers that capture the imagination…but think of the damage some one with a tug, some wire and a grapnel could achieve. Simply look for the fuzzy lines on the chart, steam at 90 degrees to the cable and watch the Internet Explorer lights go out all over the world.
Cable ships were the glamour boys of the shipping scene, from Bermuda and Fiji , to erm, Avonmouth, so many gorgeous white ships brought the world closer together.
Then as with all things someone had the bright idea of putting a load of cable gear on the back of some old supply boat, and bang the glory days were over…add to that the fact that the demand for cables dropped off dramatically and we have a tragic tale of yet another seemingly impregnable part of the industry almost going to the wall…almost overnight.
The seeds of recovery are there for cable ships again now, and perhaps these “accidents” will prove as a salient reminder of the importance of being able to get cables fixed, and quick.
Expect video clips of the day the Earth stopped talking, buying, playing and exploiting women to reach You Tube any day now…assuming some fool doesn't anchor in the wrong place!
It's not just cables under the sea of course, last month also saw the release of The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) the report of its investigation of an oil tanker dragging its anchor in the North Sea and snagging a natural gas pipeline.
Thankfully, while this resulted in material damage to the pipe (that must have cost a pretty penny), there was no release of gas.
Due to heavy weather, the ship started to drag anchor, the ship's windlass hydraulic motor then exploded and the cable ran out to the bitter end. The tanker continued onwards dragging anchor and snagged the pipeline.
The Investigation revealed that the anchorage was not recommended in the forecast conditions…they also rather cleverly pointed out that the risk of placing a pipeline and an anchorage area in close proximity is perhaps not the cleverest bit of undersea management, especially when it is also revealed the local port authority had, apparently, specifically approved the anchoring.
Mind you having said that, it seems perhaps that we don't even really know what is under the sea. Especially as new seafloor mapping data last month revealed the foot of Alaska 's continental slope actually extends more than 100 nautical miles (185 kilometres) farther from the U.S. coast than previously believed…or perhaps further than anyone bothered claiming?
You think you know a place, and then U.S. federal scientists make a startling discovery…Hmmm, or just maybe it is a cunning ploy to extend the US claims in the Arctic , and all those lovely rich reserves of oil, gas, and minerals buried beneath the sea floor?
The UN Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) confers sovereign rights over a country's continental shelf beyond the normal boundary of 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) if the country can substantiate its claims through scientific evidence…ahem, though of course the US are not actually party to UNCLOS.
As for the idea of the US simply moving heaven and earth to bolster claims to natural resources? Perish the thought!
While scouring the world of news for your latest titbits, we chanced upon a rather bizarre treatise on the reasons that many seafarers smoke and drink too much.
Stemming from a survey in the Japanese Journal of Marine Medicine it was found that:
- About 60% of seafarers have regular drinking tendencies and 56.8% smoke.
- Ratings under age 44 smoke more heavily than other age groups.
- Males had a higher tendency to be smokers.
Despite the shock that only 60% had “drinking tendencies”, the blog went on to expound theories on the reasons seafarers smoke and (where possible) drink…below are the 10 genuine and straight-faced categories offered by the website as underpinning the drink and smoke culture in shipping. They sound like rather tenuous excuses to us, and we have taken the liberty of providing our own slant on the reasons expounded:
- “Relieves stress” - Seafaring is tough, cigges and ale relieve stress…a perfect partnership!
- “Increases concentration” – Concentration is important, smoking aids concentration…”smoke more, collide less”!
- “Helps to remain awake” – Smoking keeps you awake…Grrreat!
- “Keeps you warm” – Cigarettes involve fire…fire is hot; therefore smoking must keep you warm.
- “Projects a macho image” – The Marlboro man smokes, cowboys are hard (The Brokeback Mountain twosome notwithstanding) so are seafarers – ideal bedfellows then (seafarers and cigarettes that is, not seafarers and cowboys!)
- “Helps to remain active” – According to the blog, “Seafarer finds smoking and drinking act as stimulus to remain active”…no really, that's what it says, see www.marinebuzz.com if you don't believe us.
- “Helps to mix up in society” – Hmm, not sure about this one…but we guess enough Jim Beam will indeed help anyone to get well and truly mixed up
- “Helps to remain as a good team mate” – The team that boozes and smokes together wins together…we guess that's the theory.
- “Happy living” – Those seafarers that smoke and drink do so because they like smoking and drinking QED happy (if somewhat shortened) lives!
Our friends at The Mission to Seafarers, and their Lead Sponsor, Lloyd's List, are pleased to announce that the Making Waves: Triathlon Challenge 2008 is set to take place JUNE 14 2008 at the Waterside Farm and Leisure Complex, Essex, UK.
The Making Waves: Triathlon Challenge is a sponsored event to help the Mission continue its worldwide care of seafarers. It is apparently intended to be a fun family occasion with an exciting afternoon of events, including children's attractions, face painting, an open BBQ and the chance to see Daddy cry in public after a severe case of joggers nipple…
It is also set to be the perfect networking opportunity, even more so if you want to meet corpulent lawyers (and newsletter editors) daft enough to squeeze into their old gyms shorts after caking their nether regions with Vaseline…a sight not to be missed!
Having just recovered from serious finger blisters after knitting woolly hats for seafarers, we were relieved to hear from Mission director of fundraising Carol Taylor that, “You don't have to be super-fit to take part in this triathlon”, with the off-road sprint triathlon consisting of a 300m pool swim, a 15K off-road cycle ride and a 5K run. Places are strictly limited and participants are asked to raise a suggested minimum of £100.
Mike Porter (who we understand is already in training), managing director of events and training products at Informa Maritime Transport added, “We're looking forward to a really great day”, and with Lloyd's List onboard the Making Waves: Triathlon it's set to be a really exciting day out …
Places for the event are limited, so interested participants should contact Kelli Neve, events organiser on 020 7248 5202 or visit www.missiontoseafarers.org/triathlon for more details.
It emerged last month that The Royal Navy has been using goats to test whether it was safe for sailors to escape from stricken submarines.
The goats apparently make good sailor substitutes, because their skulls are a similar shape to those of RN personnel, the MoD revealed (we know the sailors they are talking about…we've seen them in Jesters nightclub).
The little-known experiments to avoid submariners getting the bends were revealed in a written Commons statement by the defence minister, Derek Twigg, which also announced that the practice was to be abandoned.
Live goats have been used for decades at the navy's base in Gosport , near Portsmouth , as part of research into the effects of different degrees of decompression. The animals were placed into hyperbaric pressure chambers to induce sickness.
Six goats were killed in the course of more than 400 experiments between 2000 and 2006. More than 120 were humanely killed after the experiments under Home Office regulations, according to the MoD.
The experiments were suspended last year. Dr Hadwen Trust, a non-animal medical research charity, said goats had suffered brain damage and other "hideous effects". "It is regrettable but inevitable that warfare causes human suffering but it is totally unethical that we should add to this the unnecessary suffering of innocent animals," they added.
In a rather weak defence of the practice a defence official said, "They were never placed under water and they were not alone. Other goats were in there too". Oh well, that's fine then – so long as they weren't lonely before being blasted out.
SEAGOING VACANCIES
Current Seagoing Vacancies
| Jobseekers Register Here | Recruiters Register Here |
| 2284 | Senior Officer Engine |
General Cargo | Salary available on request | Start date available on request | More>> |
| 2188 | Junior Officer Engine |
Cruide Oil Tanker | Salary available on request | Start date available on request | More>> |
| 2186 | Senior Officer Deck | Cruide Oil Tanker | Salary available on request | Start date available on request | More>> |
| 2218 | Senior Officer Technical |
Cruise Ship | Salary available on request | Start date available on request | More>> |
| 2308 | Junior Officer Deck | Yacht | Salary available on request | Start date available on request | More>> |
Jobseekers Register Here Recruiters Register Here
SHORE BASED VACANCIES
Current Shore Based Vacancies
| Company | Job Title | |
| Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (IOM) | ||
| Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (IOM) | Cargo Superintendent, Isle of Man | |
| Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (IOM) | ||
Carisbrooke Shipping Limited |
||
| Edina | Diesel Gas Technician | |
| CMA CGM | ||
| CMA CGM | ||
| CMA CGM | ||
| Germanischer Lloyd | Marine Surveyors for China | |
| Maritime and Coastguard Agency | Director of Maritime Services | |
| Merchant Navy Resources | Cargo Production Supt | |
| Merchant Navy Resources | LNG Technical Superintendent | |
| OSG | Technical Superintendent | |
| Shiptalk Recruitment | International Sales Executives | |
| South Tyneside College | Lecturers in Marine Engineering and Nautical Studies |
WHAT'S ON WHERE?
Nigeria Risks Seminar
Hilton Copenhagen
11 March 2008
1000-1600
Risk Intelligence is organising a special seminar on maritime security risks in Nigeria, where we have brought together a very experienced group of experts to discuss current threats and countermeasures with shipping and offshore.
The programme will focus on practical experiences and cases, and discuss the current political situation and its implications on the security situation in the country.
High emphasis will be put on current countermeasures and initiatives and programmes such as the armed river convoys and defence plans for offshore on which our experts at the seminar has substantial experience.
Threat Assessment - Development in threats to Shipping, Oil & Gas 2006-2008
Oil & Gas – Attacks and countermeasures from the offshore industry
Shipping – cases and countermeasures including Armed Convoying on Bonny River
Threat and Risk Assessment – Nigeria – Workshop
All speakers are confirmed.
The venue Hotel Hilton in Copenhagen is within easy reach of the airport (3 min. walk), the Central Station (15 min. in train) or by car. Directions: Hotel Hilton
Price: 5.000 DKK plus 25% VAT
20% discount for number 2 and subsequent participants from the same company/organisation
Registration via Risk Intelligence's web registration Participants will be sent an invoice in PDF format and payment has to be registered in our account before the seminar.
Risk Intelligence is a risk intelligence company consulting private and governmental clients on security threats and risks. Risk Intelligence is specialised in analysing threats from piracy, organised crime, terrorism, insurgency and military conflicts. Risk Intelligence produces intelligence reports and threat/risk assessments as well as management consulting on threats as well as on responses and counter-measures. A majority of products and services are related to maritime security - shipping and offshore sectors. See more on www.riskintelligence.eu
Risk Intelligence
Flintemarken 25, 1.th
2950 Vedbaek
Denmark
Tel +45 70 26 62 30
Fax +45 70 26 62 40
Lloyds List - Manning and Training India
17th - 18th March 2008 Intercontinental the Grand Hotel Mumbai , India
Lloyd's List events are delighted to announce the dates for the 3rd Indian Manning & Training Conference. The event, returning once again to the bustling maritime centre of Mumbai, kicks off our 2008 Manning & Training programme with agenda setting debates and cutting edge analysis from the key players in the industry.
The conference will bring together highly respected speakers who influence the manning and training sectors both in India and globally. The programme provides not only a regional and global overview of shipping, but will focus on training challenges and solutions, with penetrating analyses of the growing seafarer shortage. The conference gives you, the delegate, a chance to question, and challenge, the leading authorities in the field at a time when manning is emerging as one of the most important factors impacting shipowners' bottom line.
The Mumbai conference is a must attend event for anyone in shipping seeking to get on top of the manning challenge to stay ahead of the competition.
There is also an opportunity to explore the issues relating to building a safety culture at sea with our post-conference workshop ‘ Leadership, Trust and Communication: Keystones of Building a Safety Culture?' led by Professor Mike Barnett of Warsash Maritime Academy . This interactive hands on event is a perfect follow up to the conference.
To receive more information on how to register, please email Marianna Christodoulou on marianna.christodoulou@informa.com with your full contact details; for further information regarding sponsorship & promotional opportunities please email Dean Guest on dean.guest@informa.com or visit our website at www.manningandraining.com
Presented by the Connecticut Maritime Association ( CMA ), Shipping 2008 continues a tradition of bringing the international shipping community together in North America 's leading commercial shipping center, for two and a half days of business and market oriented activity.
The event will be held March 17-19, 2008 at The Westin Hotel (will become a Hilton in late January 2008) in Stamford , Connecticut , USA and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you.
Contact: Lorraine Parsons, Event Director, CMA Shipping 2008
Tel: +1.203.406.0109 Ext 3717 Fax: +1.203.406.0110
Email: conferences@cmaconnect.com
Website: www.shipping2008.com
6th Edition of Gulf Maritime Exhibition
Expo Centre Sharjah from April 21st – 23rd 2008
The sixth edition of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition, the Middle East 's premier maritime event dedicated to meeting the complete sourcing requirements of the commercial, government, leisure, and the military maritime sectors, will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 21-23, 2008 .
The three-day exhibition, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, is being organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Among the exhibits at the event will be the complete range of deck machinery and other vessel equipment, docking equipment, electronics, communication and navigation systems, engine and propulsion systems, fuel and lubricants, ride control systems, sound and vibration control systems, marine interiors, paints and coatings, latest vessel building designs and technology, equipment for fishing, offshore support vessels, cargo ships, tankers, tugs, ferries, and patrol boats, Ship repair and port operations products, and cargo handling services.
Besides featuring a unique exhibit profile, the 2008 edition of the Gulf Maritime Exhibition will host a series of one hour each product presentation seminars and several focused forums and conferences on the sidelines. Whereas the seminar sessions will be an effective marketing tool for gathering potential clients and presenting them with new products and services, the conferences and seminars will be an avenue to introspect on the crucial issues facing the regional maritime sector.
The Gulf Maritime Exhibition has so far had five highly successful editions. Today, the event is undoubtedly the region's most established maritime trade platform. The maritime sector not only perceives it as an ideal market entry vehicle for the Middle East but also considers it to be an effective networking tool, which is absolutely necessary in the face of the current highly competitive industry environment.Space Application Form
For Full Details Click Here
22nd annual Bills of Lading Seminar
Lloyd's Maritime Academy presents the 22nd annual Bills of Lading Seminar Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st May 2008 |
Lloyd's Maritime Academy is pleased to bring to you this year's International Bills of Lading Seminar. The course, now celebrating 22 years, will take participants through the part played by the Bill of Lading relating to the carriage of goods by sea, and with updated material incorporating new case law and new examples of best practice, this year's seminar will feature the major trends and latest legal ramifications.
The programme will be chaired by Richard Williams – visiting professor at the school of law at the University of Wales . Participants will be taken through all aspects of the Bill of Lading with the expert panel of speakers who all have direct experience in the field of shipping law. The diverse range of presentations, detailed case studies and thorough workshops will ensure that participants gain a key understanding of the legal trends and latest developments.
This annual seminar will be second to none in providing a thorough investigation into Bills of Lading. Come equipped to listen to the sessions, participate in the interactive workshop sessions and take away a clear understanding of the latest legal issues.
Dates: Monday 19 th – Wednesday 21 st May 2008
Venue: Lloyd's Maritime Academy Training Suite, London
Website: www.lloydsmaritimeacademy.com/lm1021
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