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www.marinelink.com MN17operations. Docking is a prime exam- ple. The crew will provide the best advice for positioning of cleats andbollards and/or when a keyhole line chock will work much better than a closed chock. Good visibility and communications are also prime con- siderations. Where complete wing stations are not practical, a hand-held remote for the propulsion control sys- tem can be installed as a flexible alter-native. Closed circuit television cam- eras and monitors can provide enhanced visibility and awareness throughout the ship, even where lighting is poor. Installing heated glass in the pilothouse guarantees afog-free view that justifies the added cost. Furthermore, the newest loud hailer systems with talk-back technol-ogy come at an affordable price point for clear communication with diverse functionality. Little things make a big difference, and will have minimum cost impact if addressed up front. HONORTHE MARINERThe value of onboard amenities that promote crew productivity should not be discounted. Amenities pro- vide a supplement to wage compensa-tion for retaining happy workers. E- communication has therefore evolved into a basic human right and the crew will greatly value the use of any sat- phone, e-mail, and video chat tech-nology. Mariners trying to maintain a competent level of fitness for main- taining credentials will appreciate the clever integration of exercise equip- ment. And, placing individual thermostatcontrols in each stateroom can make the confined space more inviting as will a reasonably sized flat screen tele- vision.User-friendly vessel designs will only evolve and improve over time. Likewise, continuous advances in computer aided design (CAD) makeit easier to know and understand how each new vessel will look and feel like before the first plate is torched. Arguably, there will never be a ?per- fect? boat, but considering the input from your crew will certainly build a better one.Joe Hudspeth is Business Development Manager at All American Marine, Inc., a manufac- turer of high speed passenger ferries, excursion vessels, and work boats, in Bellingham, WA. Email: [email protected]#2 (1-17):MN 2011 Layouts 2/3/2012 12:04 PM Page 17