Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (July 2020)

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TRAINING

Maritime Training amid

COVID-19

Hornblower

By Eric Haun ood maritime training provides much more than the cer- Critical to maintaining operations during the pandemic were ti?cations, licenses and documentation needed to qual- the swift prioritization of crew health and safety, Carpenter ify for the job. It goes beyond preparing crews to carry noted. “The industry's extensive experience with contingency

G onboard functions safely and ef?ciently day in and day out. Well- planning, safety management systems and incident command trained mariners have the skills and knowledge to handle almost structures has served it well in managing the health, safety anything thrown their way – even when confronting the unex- and operational challenges posed by the pandemic,” she said. pected. But what happens when the unexpected is a pandemic? “Companies quickly put in place – and have continued to re-

COVID-19’s effects on industries across the globe have ?ne – procedures aimed at keeping the virus off their vessels.” been widespread and diverse, forcing businesses to adjust to One company that moved quickly to implement mea- an entirely new set of global circumstances. The maritime in- sures to protect its workers (and thereby the ?ow of maritime dustry has certainly adapted, but vessel crews cannot simply commerce) is Crowley Maritime. The organization enacted work from home to avoid exposure to the novel coronavirus, new safety practices and procedures surrounding sanitation, just as cargo cannot be transported over Zoom. proper handwashing, personal protective equipment (PPE) “Mariners have continued to report to work, vessels have con- use and social distancing on board its vessels, and has been tinued to operate and the industry has adapted to maintain oper- emphasizing best practices for safety on crew change, says Ira ational continuity and readiness,” said American Waterways Op- Douglas, Crowley’s vice president, labor relations. He says a erators president and CEO, Jennifer Carpenter, in her testimony Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) Safety and before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommit- Health Working Group, led by Capt. Cole Cosgrove, working tee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation in May. group chair, and vice president, Crowley global ship manage-

Carpenter stressed the resiliency of the U.S. domestic ment, helped to manage crew changes as safely as possible.

maritime supply chain and highlighted the key role of the So far, the additional safety measures have been paying off.

American tugboat, towboat and barge industry in maintain- “The COVID-19 infections on commercial vessels at this ing the ?ow of vital commodities and guiding ships into port time have been infrequent, relatively, because of mariners’ throughout the conronavirus health crisis.Vessel operators, work and dedication and cooperation among. Labor provid- which routinely emphasize sound safety practices (includ- ers, terminal operators, industry oversight organizations, and ing training) as part of their regular course of business, were vessel owners/operators,” Douglas says.

able to react quickly to keep crews safe and cargo moving. “I think some of these practices will remain, certainly, be-

July 2020 26 MN