As the shipping industry grows
exponentially and fierce competition between ship operators and ship
owners, charter rates are lowered to keep the ship “ON-HIRE” not
loosing huge amount of money. Ship that were unchartered (OFF-HIRE)
looses huge amount of money by the thousand of dollars per day ( e.g.
USD $20,0000.00). It is very sad experience that certain company’s
safety management system (SMS) are just writings doodles and always
by passed for the company’s confidence of saving more money. The
SMS are doctrines to make a covenant to protect Life, Property and
the Environment.
By cutting off ship’s budget
on operation expenses are already a habit of narrowing further more,
affecting marginal safety of ship operation. Ship operators reducing
abroad expenses on ship operation covers crew on board salary, crew
on board food budget, ship maintenance and ship spare parts.
On board spare parts which
that are needed in case of emergency becoming scares due to suspended
or halted delivery, planning for a strategic bulk delivery of all
spare parts, store and food to save further money on chandlers and
agents. Thus ship’s machinery running hours are exceeded further
said to save money for the time being. Unhealthy food are prepared
and served due to scarce of fresh fruits and vegetables. Mostly
stored on are processed preserved meats and processed instant food
meals which are much cheaper.
Crew’s on-board wages are
also halted promised to give it to much latter part of the contract
thus affects the crew to buy personal fresh fruits and vegetables.
Worst is the medical welfare of the crew which is shouldered by the
crew rather than the company.
This are most of the example
of passive events that could lead to an active event to a devastating
accident.
Hypocrite Companies tells you
to stay healthy and work safely but cutting off your budget that
affects your welfare and ship safety operation for their own
intention of earning more. Its so hard for on-board ship management
level crew (Master, Chief Engineer and Chief officer) to put their
license at risks in operating the vessel on a narrow marginal safety.
Thus proper
black-in-white communications
and recorded
satellite conversations
are practice on-board ships to clearly indicate that the crew is
doing its job right on the ship and to put the blame, in case of
incident happened, to the land base hypocrite ship management
companies.
I tell you not all companies
are hypocrites most still stand and abide to their SMS as their
covenant keeping the welfare of the crew and ship.
