Developing Navigation Standards

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council magazine by Mr. Edward J. LaRue, Jr., chief, Navigation Standards Division

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Transportation Systems Management Directorate.

The International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, based in the United Kingdom. IMO’s main task has been to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping. Its responsibility today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, maritime security, and shipping efficiency. The Maritime Safety Committee is the highest technical body of the organization.

The NAV Subcommittee

Under the instructions of the Maritime Safety Committee and with input from the Marine Environmental Protection Committee, the Subcommittee on Safety of Navigation (NAV) considers matters related to obligations of governments and operational measures related to safety of navigation.

The subcommittee is charged to develop any necessary amendments to relevant conventions and other instruments, as well as to prepare new instruments, guidelines, and recommendations for consideration by the committees.

Major Developments

At a typical session, the NAV will consider more than a dozen ship routing or reporting proposals. Many of them are quite complex and require careful examination to ensure they meet the criteria of the general provisions on ships’ routing. Over the past three NAV sessions the subcommittee has taken action on a number of proposals.

Of particular interest to the U.S.: amendments to the existing traffic separation scheme in the approach to Boston, Mass., that moved ship traffic away from the preferred feeding grounds of the Northern Right Whale. Additionally, areas to be avoided and mandatory “no anchoring” areas were approved for two offshore liquefied natural gas facilities off the northeast U.S. coast to caution mariners of their presence and provide a measure of protection for the facilities.

Today, NAV continues to contribute in large measure to IMO’s mission—safe, secure, and efficient shipping on clean oceans.

Full article is available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/spring2011/.

Subscribe online at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/subscribe.asp.

Critical Communication: Understanding cultural factors enhances design and delivery of workplace safety training interventions.

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council magazine by Jeffrey L. Levin, M.D. M.S.P.H, University of Texas Health Science Center; Karen Gilmore, M.P.H. University of Texas Health Science Center;Ms. Ann Carruth, D.N.S., R.N., Southeastern Louisiana University; Ms. Amanda Wickman, University of Texas Health Science Center; Ms. Sara Shepherd, M.A.M.S., University of Texas Health Science Center; Mr. Gilbert Gallardo, U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District

Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety; Dr. Matthew Nonnenmann, C.I.H., University of Texas Health Science Center.

The Problem
The U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District, which encompasses the Gulf Coast from Texas to the panhandle of Florida, has the second-highest level of vessel losses and crew fatalities among commercial fishermen, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics.

How Do You Fix That?
First, work to understand these fishermen. The makeup of the commercial fishing population along the United States Gulf Coast is diverse, with many Asian (primarily Vietnamese) shrimpers.

Cultural barriers can get in the way of critical communication and interfere with receptivity to necessary safety training. To successfully communicate, one must understand and embrace its cultural norms.

How Does This Work?
Recognizing these issues, the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education (SW Ag Center), in collaboration with USCG Marine Safety Unit Texas City, added a module for safety training for Vietnamese shrimp fishermen.

Instructors in the SW Ag Center effort developed typical onboard scenarios that a skilled mariner used to instruct a small group of fishermen in Vietnamese on a vessel bridge. The trainees then practiced the various skills.

Future Direction
Feedback has been highly favorable. The project has demonstrated the importance of considering cultural factors, including language, in the design and delivery of workplace safety training interventions. It has increased acceptance of the USCG as partners in safety, and recognition by individual fisherman of their responsibility to be safe at work. Ongoing meetings with multiple USCG stakeholders will focus on further program development.

Full article is available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/winter2010-11/

Subscribe online at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/subscribe.asp

Pictured on Top Right: Mariners practice signaling and communication skills on the bridge of a shrimp vessel.

Pictured on Bottom Left: In an onboard training presented in Vietnamese, the shrimp fishermen listen respectfully to an experienced mariner.