Action on board the MT “PICO BASILE”
It has been almost a year now since we started an initiative called the Safety Incentive Programme, by which monthly awards are given to crew members for LARP (Look, Act, Report, Prevent) activity, Videotel training and Best Cabin for cleanliness and hygiene. In essence, this promotes and rewards seafarer participation in health, safety and orderliness.
Why did we start?
It is obvious that improved health and safety training and awareness can help save lives and reduce injury and illness. However, good practices are not due to luck, and establishing and implementing them, such that everyone is visibly seeking to do the best thing, can create great contentment within a crew.
Thus we on the MT “PICO BASILE” wanted an environment where each and every crew member could proudly say that health and safety is the utmost priority. In developing this we felt that the initiative fully reflects Group aims and values and that, while presently vessel-specific, it might in time be replicated across the entire fleet. It most certainly engages our whole crew and makes them more involved in raising the bar on safety and health awareness.
The programme itself
To motivate everyone and thus get the active participation of all, we give monthly awards in the following categories:
- LARP Cards
- Best Card
- Runner-up Card
- Most LARP notifications
- Most Videotel training done
- Best Cabin for hygiene and cleanliness
What have we achieved?
Many onboard tasks are repetitive and routine, and that can trigger boredom and thus laziness as regards safety. But this Programme has made the entire ship staff more proactive, and also cognisant of innovation with daily duties, and has developed a strong sense of competition in cleanliness, health and hygiene, hence an increase in standards. Videotel training has increased considerably, and instead of having to remind people to do this we now see it as part of everyone’s daily routine.
LARP Card notifications have increased in number and also in quality and variety, which tells us that the crew have immersed themselves in the safety culture and have been thinking outside the box.
Feedback from crew members:
“This programme fosters positive competition, which is necessary to propel oneself forward in today’s world. As little droplets add together to form a large ocean, each LARP Card’s small contribution creates a formidable barrier against unsafe acts and circumstances. Even though the prize is small, the desire to win it on stage motivates everyone to perform at their best in all areas, including cabin cleaning. Now, the jury faces a difficult task in selecting the best cabin, as everyone’s cabin is the best. I hope the “PICO BASILE” becomes the best among all vessels as a result of its own initiative.” Premkumar Maria Aron, 3rd Officer
“The entire staff, including myself, has developed a greater sense of safety. All of these things existed previously, but this prize has fostered an atmosphere of fair competition among us in terms of being the best.” Amit Sarang, Oiler
“This incentive programme has increased my desire and taught me to be even more diligent in terms of general cleanliness and safety requirements.” Shakil Alam, Chief Cook
“The ship’s cleanliness standards have been raised, and as a result better communication on this has been established between crew and officers. While we are working, we are constantly monitoring each other. We are on the lookout for things and conditions which might be unsafe. I hope this kind of programme can be implemented on all Synergy vessels.” Rohan Vasant Tare, Pumpman
“We are constantly vigilant while working, and we have started to see things differently. Assessing risk and doing work safely has become a firmly ingrained habit. To be the best, we compete against one another. As a result, everyone is putting forth a strong effort in terms of safety training and hygiene.” AB Ram Siya
“Safety first” is what I was taught. And when there is a competition, it makes me think twice about the safety of any activity I participate in. It would be beneficial if this programme continues.” Karthik Elangovan, 3rd Engineer
“The concept of a LARP Card competition has increased the crew’s enthusiasm for logging these. It has caused greater focus on safety in any given situation, which is vital in the maritime industry. It would be beneficial for the welfare of the crew as well as the company if this system was maintained.” Karthick Raj, Junior Engineer
Success by statistics:
The below data compilation speaks for itself.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey for this initiative, which has inspired the crew to prioritise health, safety and training, and for implementing the programme superbly and with such a great outcome.
On behalf of the whole MT “PICO BASILE” family,
Ishan Rana, Second Officer
