Every year on June 25th, the maritime community unites to celebrate the Day of the Seafarer, an observance that acknowledges the invaluable contributions of seafarers to international trade and the global economy.
This year’s campaign shines a spotlight on one of the most critical aspects of maritime life: safety at sea. The theme, “Safety Tips at Sea,” aims to promote awareness and best practices among seafarers, ensuring their well-being and the security of maritime operations.
In this special feature, we delve into the perspectives of two seafarers from Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) who embody the spirit of this year’s campaign: Mohammad Hamiely Bin Abdul Hamid, a seasoned Marine Advisor under QHSSE Department, and Muhammad Adib Wafiuddin bin Khairuddin, a dedicated Second Officer.
Their insights and experiences offer a compelling look into the daily realities of life at sea and the paramount importance of safety in their profession.
Safety tips every seafarer should remember
With 14 years of experience at BGC, including a decade as an engineer, Mohammad Hamiely underscored the crucial role of mental and physical preparedness in seafaring. He shared that a common safety hazard while on ship is slipping, tripping and falling.
“We should never be complacent,” he emphasised. “As humans, we tend to normalise our routines, overlooking potential accidents or incidents.”
This, he explained, could lead to unpreparedness for emergencies, highlighting the importance for seafarers to maintain both their physical and mental health and stay acutely aware of their surroundings.
Mohammad Hamiely also stressed that ensuring safety at sea was a collective responsibility. One way BGC managed risk was by conducting weekly drills to ensure readiness for worst-case scenarios.
He added that vigilance was a constant necessity in the life of a seafarer, with each crew member, regardless of rank, needing to remain steadfast in intervening in any unsafe act, whether actual or a near-miss.
Additionally, having a buddy system, where crew members looked out for each other while onboard, proved to be an effective practice.
“It is crucial to be transparent in reporting incidents to raise awareness and capture learnings for future improvements,” added Mohammad Hamiely.
He went on to highlight that while onboard the vessel, every task has risks and the potential to be dangerous, especially with we are unfamiliar with the task.
“Managing these risks upfront such as planning ahead, getting familiar with your tasks and processes, and monitoring your surroundings may reduce and even remove the hazards entirely.”
Muhammad Adib echoed this, while underscoring the various forms that safety hazards take while out at sea.
“Safety hazards can take various forms, visible or not,” he cautioned. “One of the most common is losing focus, which can lead to being disoriented, unable to control tasks at hand, and lacking the ability to adapt when circumstances change..”
To address this concern, he added, one approach is to seek assistance from fellow crew members and officers without hesitation, recognizing the value of teamwork.
Additionally, taking a moment to step back, collect thoughts, realign goals as a team, and work towards achieving them safely is crucial.
“The key here is to be resilient,” said Muhammad Adib.
Vital role of seafarers
In the maritime industry, the importance of each member’s role in enhancing safety standards cannot be overstated.
“Engineers take charge of monitoring and maintaining the ships’ systems to ensure they are running effectively for safe operation,” shared Mohammad Hamiely.
“This involves conducting routine inspections, testing, and maintenance of both critical and non-critical equipment to identify and address potential issues before they become safety threats.”
He further highlighted that engineers ensure ships adhere to all safety standards and laws enforced by flag states and international agreements like SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships).
By complying with these regulations, marine engineers play a key role in maintaining a ship’s seaworthiness and safety, thus protecting the lives of passengers and crew while minimizing environmental damage from maritime mishaps.
As for deck officer Muhammad Adib, his role in safety standards at sea includes monitoring emissions, logging distance and weather routing, finding the shortest and safest route in the event of a tropical revolving storm. It is a responsibility Muhammad Adib takes seriously.
“We will do whatever it takes to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe. Because at the end of the day, we all want to go home in one piece, to the ones we love.”
He then emphasised the significant role of seafarers in the world’s economy, describing them as a crucial piece in the cohesive ecosystem of the maritime industry.
“We are a puzzle piece, if I may, of a beautiful picture of a cohesive ecosystem that is the maritime industry.”
Message to new seafarers
In offering their advice to new seafarers, Mohammad Hamiely reminded the new generation of the importance of completing safety training and following established safety protocols and procedures.
“By embracing these principles, whether you are an experienced or new seafarers, we can contribute to a safer and more efficient maritime industry while safeguarding our own well-being as well as our fellow crew members.”
In his part, Muhammad Adib advised new seafarers to define their purpose, align their goals, and seek balance in their careers.
“Seek balance in everything you do, it is an undoubtedly tough career, but when you can find the fine line between seafaring and your personal life, you are set to sail.”
The Day of the Seafarer 2024 is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of seafarers around the world. It is also a reminder of the importance of safety at sea and the role that every seafarer plays in ensuring a secure and efficient maritime industry.
This Day of the Seafarer, let us celebrate not only the contributions of seafarers to global trade but also their unwavering commitment to safety at sea.
