Page 32: of Marine News Magazine (May 2022)

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Feature

Training & Education reached out to a number of maritime experts. Jeanne Gras- so is a maritime attorney, with Blank Rome LLP, based in

Washington, D.C., specializing in maritime issues. Grasso noted that while the EMBARC Guidance focuses on vessels employing USMMA cadets, its presence on the policy stage should not be disregarded.

“EMBARC is an important start,” she said, adding that “these standards should help foster a safer and more in- clusive shipboard work environment. Even more critical, however, is the company’s culture and accountability on the part of leadership, both shipboard and shoreside.”

Grasso commented that SASH aboard vessels, U.S. ? ag and foreign ? ag, unfortunately has a long history and is not con? ned to a few bad actors. The standards set forth in

EMBARC need to draw vessel operators’ attention.

“The industry cannot lose focus,” Grasso emphasized. “This is not just a cadet issue, and it is not just a female is- sue, it is widespread and must be dealt with in an expansive and comprehensive manner.”

WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading

Association) is an international networking organization, in 54 countries, established “to attract and support wom- en, at the management level, in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors.” Christina Liviakis Gianopulos, Director,

Business Development at American Ship Repair in New “The industry cannot

York, is incoming President and Director of WISTA USA.

Gianopulos called EMBARC a milestone document. “We lose focus. This is not believe these standards could help foster a safer work envi- ronment for all seafarers,” she said, adding that “EMBARC just a cadet issue, and represents a step in the continued discussion of how we as an industry create safe, inclusive work environments that wel- it is not just a female come and embrace the next generation of seafarers.”

Gianopulos said there are still many unanswered ques- issue, it is widespread tions about implementing EMBARC. One concern is whether compliance will actually lead to meaningful and must be dealt with change. “Creating additional check boxes,” Gianopulos in an expansive and commented, “for the sake of saying an owner/operator is ‘EMBARC compliant’ will not necessarily ensure a safe comprehensive manner.” workplace.” She expects the maritime industry, MARAD, and the maritime academies will need to keep working to- gether as implementation proceeds. “All of these groups,” – Jeanne Grasso, she advised, “need to listen to each other, to ? nd best prac-

Maritime Attorney, tices, and be willing to address concerns collaboratively

Blank Rome LLP with transparency in a timely fashion.” 32 | MN May 2022