Tweet
Checklists are often misused, underused, overused or dismissed in the maritime industry. A major part of the problem is how generic that checklists can be, and almost irrelevant. I am attempting to re-write our checklists to be more usable. Thankfully we are exempt from ISM, so this is all an internal process for us.
At the same time, I'm involved in training junior officers and cadets, which is where I want to tie in the checklist process. I have the luxury of being able to go to sea and practice steering gear failures, man overboards and search and rescue exercises without having to justify the cost and time involved. One of the problems is trying to train a junior officer how to properly react.
What I'm trying to create is a 'two part' checklist, and that is the checklist is broken into 'Memory' and 'Follow Up'. OK, so how does this work? Well the memory items in a Man Overboard checklist are the initial actions you should take without prompting, and which you should know from your training, but have been placed into a 'flow' so that the items are in the correct order for the bridge and commensurate with the planned manning for that vessel.
Immediate MOB Checklist
Memory
Manoeuvre stern away from MOB
Press MOB button on GPS
Order release of MOB Buoy
Press automated MOB sound signal
etc?????.
Follow Up
Announce: ?Man Overboard, Man Overboard, Man Overboard, Safeguard, Safeguard, Man Overboard crew to Rescue Boat, Medical Team Close Up, MCR Close Up?
MCR Standby
Thrusters Online
Stabilisers Retracted
Broadcast Channel 16 ?Mayday, Mayday, Mayday????.
Contact any vessels in close proximity to advise them to reduce speed and assist search.
etc??.
This is just an example, and the ?Memory? items are to be completely revised in order, and all officers should be able to repeat and carry out these actions immediately. The knowledge of these memory items for all emergency checklists should be tested frequently to ensure compliance. In an emergency the OOW would not consult the checklist for these items. I would also expect a competent officer to have already completed many of the Follow Up items, however when additional officers arrived at the bridge, or the Master relieves the conn, the follow up items can be called out and checked to determine any items which have not been completed.
So in essence, the checklist isn?t there to blindly read through and tick off, it exists to ensure that the important actions aren?t missed. In the heat of an emergency, it can be easy to panic.
I?d like to know the opinions of different people on this, and perhaps this system is already in use in one form or another with some companies.
At the same time, I'm involved in training junior officers and cadets, which is where I want to tie in the checklist process. I have the luxury of being able to go to sea and practice steering gear failures, man overboards and search and rescue exercises without having to justify the cost and time involved. One of the problems is trying to train a junior officer how to properly react.
What I'm trying to create is a 'two part' checklist, and that is the checklist is broken into 'Memory' and 'Follow Up'. OK, so how does this work? Well the memory items in a Man Overboard checklist are the initial actions you should take without prompting, and which you should know from your training, but have been placed into a 'flow' so that the items are in the correct order for the bridge and commensurate with the planned manning for that vessel.
Immediate MOB Checklist
Memory
Manoeuvre stern away from MOB
Press MOB button on GPS
Order release of MOB Buoy
Press automated MOB sound signal
etc?????.
Follow Up
Announce: ?Man Overboard, Man Overboard, Man Overboard, Safeguard, Safeguard, Man Overboard crew to Rescue Boat, Medical Team Close Up, MCR Close Up?
MCR Standby
Thrusters Online
Stabilisers Retracted
Broadcast Channel 16 ?Mayday, Mayday, Mayday????.
Contact any vessels in close proximity to advise them to reduce speed and assist search.
etc??.
This is just an example, and the ?Memory? items are to be completely revised in order, and all officers should be able to repeat and carry out these actions immediately. The knowledge of these memory items for all emergency checklists should be tested frequently to ensure compliance. In an emergency the OOW would not consult the checklist for these items. I would also expect a competent officer to have already completed many of the Follow Up items, however when additional officers arrived at the bridge, or the Master relieves the conn, the follow up items can be called out and checked to determine any items which have not been completed.
So in essence, the checklist isn?t there to blindly read through and tick off, it exists to ensure that the important actions aren?t missed. In the heat of an emergency, it can be easy to panic.
I?d like to know the opinions of different people on this, and perhaps this system is already in use in one form or another with some companies.
Comment