Page 38: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2020)

INTERVIEW John Waterhouse, elliott Bay Design group deliberately focus on knowledge transfer between our senior engineers and new generation of engineers through internal training and seminars, as well as getting them in the field together. For the maritime industry as a whole, the transfer of that tribal knowledge is a concern.”

Melding traditional engineering skill with modern tools

ASK is sharply in focus today in maritime as “it is a fourth ma- rine industrial revolution … from sail and wood to iron and steam to steel and internal combustion to … we are very much seeing that ‘next turn of the wheel.’” John

Determining ‘what’s next’ is the struggle of many vessel

Waterhouse owners and designer, as there is no clear front-running tech- nology or fuel today.

How does the current COVID-19 pandemic compare to “The basic technology of the diesel engine burning distil- other business disruptions that you have seen during the late has had a pretty good run as a technology … 100 years course of your career?

of success,” said Waterhouse. “And there’s no one dominate

The pandemic and concurrent price collapse in the oil and gas indus- technology that’s going to follow that, it’s going to be frac- tries are once in a century events that will disrupt lives, damage tured. Methanol might make sense for one operator while businesses, change social behaviors, and impact the environment. all-electric with batteries makes sense for another. There are

Will our modern technologies prove more robust or more fragile than even suggestions that nuclear power might make sense in those at the time of the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918? We have certain applications.” Add into that a variety of emerging been able to transition most of our employees to working remotely and mature energy assistance technologies, from Flettner from home. Some of our contracts have been cancelled but so far rotors to hull bubbles, undoubtedly, confusion is the norm. we have a decent book of business.

Who do you count as the most influential mentor in helping to shape your career/management style?

“Russ McComb showed me that good

Phil Spaulding impressed me with his passion for design. humor, respect, and open commu-

Ed Hagemann showed me the importance of thinking about what nication are what every employee the numbers are trying to tell you. Russ McComb showed me that hopes to get from management.” good humor, respect, and open communication are what every employee hopes to get from management.

What is your favorite book?

The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

You have an affinity for history: what is your favorite ship of all time (not an EBDG design) and why?

Wow, this is a hard one. I think the RMS QUEEN MARY has to be my choice. Trans-Atlantic liners were among the most sophis- ticated pieces of technology of their time. Constructed during a global depression, the vessel served in wartime and in peace with distinction. Contrast the glamour of the frst class passengers with the hopes and fears of the immigrant Third Class passengers, all held together by the hard work of the ship’s crew, and you have the story of humanity.

Photo Courtesy Urban Commons 38 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2020