W
Year 2011, Volume 6, Issue
45
avelength The CENTROFIN Newsletter
Good News "It is clear that WiFi internet access is the sort of thing that would represent a quantum leap in the quality of a seafarer's life." The quote is from a comment piece in the prestigious Lloyds List on Tuesday 26 July 2011 in response to the launch of a new report from the ICSW.). The report was commissioned by ICSW in order to learn more about how port-wide WiFi and WiMAX are helping seafarers to maintain closer contact with home, which is one of the top welfare concerns of seafarers. The research found that the majority of ports do not have portwide Wifi or WiMax. Many of those that do often restrict access to seafarers on cost and security grounds. However, there are some exceptional models of success, including the Port of Antwerp, the Port of Singapore and the Port of Kandla. The ICSW will use the findings of this research to encourage improvements in the sharing of knowledge and experiences between ports.
Mediation
In this issue pg 2
Mediation pg 4
(Legal)
We read or listen to some legal terms not much known by the ordinary seafarer. Here is a brief description; in no way legal or complete, by a “layman”. Ed. (Mediation: Trying to end, influence, a disagreement between people or groups. – To find agreement or solution settling disagreement. 'They mediate territorial disputes between neighbouring countries. The bishop mediates between the demonstrators and the authorities'. Arbitration: Process of trying to settle a disagreement. The official process of trying to settle a disagreement between two people or groups by considering all the facts and opinions Litigation: Court case, lawsuit. The use of the legal system to settle a disagreement).
National Transportation Safety Board pg 6
US Congress Moves to Arm Ships against Pirates pg 8 - 9
Safety First!
“The man with the new idea is a crank until the idea works” according to Mark Twain. As we all know, new ideas are initially ignored. If they persist they are often treated with hostility and derision. And then, suddenly, they are orthodox and part of mainstream thinking. This is as true of commercial mediation as of any other radical new idea Historically, legal disputes have been resolved either by litigation or by arbitration.
pg 10
HUMOUR pg 14
ECDIS: the Risks of Over-Reliance
Mediation, as a means of resolving civil disputes, has been a slow starter. Mediation is different from litigation or arbitration. Mediation (a form of ADR- Alternative Dispute Resolution) is a new way to settle commercial disputes.
cont..p2
National Transportation Safety Board Safety Recommendation Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. Commandant U.S. Coast Guard 2100 Second Street, SW Washington, DC 20593
TO THE MASTER: Please circulate copies of this Bulletin to the CREW.
To reach our Seafarers
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has completed its investigation of yet another marine accident in which crewmember distraction resulting from nonoperational use of a cell phone or other wireless device has been identified as a causal factor. The findings from the investigation of this fatal accident suggest that Coast Guard actions thus far, with regard to wireless device use by crewmembers engaged in vessel operations, have been inadequate in addressing this critical safety risk and that additional, more effective measures are needed.
Background On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, the empty 250-foot-long sludge barge The Resource, being towed alongside the 78.9-footlong tugboat Caribbean Sea, collided with the anchored 33foot-long amphibious passenger vehicle (APV) DUKW 34 in the Delaware River at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DUKW 34 carried 35 passengers and 2 crewmembers. On board the Caribbean Sea were five crewmembers. As a result of the collision, DUKW 34 sank in about 55 feet of water. Two passengers were fatally injured, and 26 passengers suffered minor injuries.
No one on the Caribbean Sea was injured. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the mate of the Caribbean Sea to maintain a proper lookout due to (1) his decision to operate the vessel from the lower wheelhouse, which was contrary to expectations and to prudent seamanship, and (2) distraction and inattentiveness as a result of his repeated personal use of his cell phone and company laptop computer while he was solely responsible for navigating the vessel.
cont..p4
from..p1 l
ADR is a term of a very wide definition and covers any form of dispute resolution, other than through court process. Strictly speaking the term “alternative” may be something of a misnomer. The greater use of mediation fits well with initiatives in business to make processes more efficient, to provide better customer service and to preserve vital business relationships. The use of mediation clauses in commercial contracts generally would undoubtedly facilitate greater use and give the parties some control over the process.
Mediation
number of mediation service providers. The first place to look is on the Internet. If you tap the words “Commercial Mediation” into any of the main search engines you will generate a vast number of hits. Even if you confine the search to particular countries, the result is similar. If you make a Google “book search” you might find tenths of books on the subject. These Internet hits denote a huge amount of activity, a huge amount of energy and effort that has been devoted to understanding the process, developing it and using it.
There are essentially two types of mediation; facilitative and evaluative. Facilitative mediation is by far the most common model used for the resolution of commercial disputes. Evaluative mediation is a rather different animal.
(1).- Mediation Is a process of managed negotiation where the parties negotiate their own deal, but it has a timetable, a structure and dynamics which “simple” negotiation lacks. It is a process in which hard issues are confronted and difficult things are said. It is neither a soft compromise nor an inevitable 50/50. It is effective in resolving intractable cases, even those which involve allegations of fraud or dishonesty. It is quick and comparatively inexpensive and can often preserve not only relationships but reputations. It is not a universal panacea but it works; cases settle. Mediation has a long history, in international diplomacy, in family and labour relations and in Asian jurisdictions. But until recently mediation was something of a minority sport in the resolution of commercial disputes. Although there is still perhaps a long way to go, the tide has very clearly turned. There has been a veritable explosion of interest in mediation and a substantial growth in the
presence of an independent third party is the key distinguishing feature of the process. Facilitative mediation is a process of managed negotiation.
Mediators. They all work in different ways, partly through their character and partly through their training and expertise. Certainly there is no set formula but there are certain common threads. The mediator must be entirely neutral and independent. The mediator brings a fresh and trusted mind to what is often an old problem. Trust and integrity are key watch words. His role is to aid communication between the parties, to assist them to overcome emotional blockages, to focus their attention and effort on the problems and moreover their solutions. He can help each side to understand the other side's case or even their own case (and its weaknesses, which they and sometimes their advisors have been unable or unwilling to look at). Mediators can suggest new avenues to explore, to identify and work to overcome deadlock, to unlock and release any of the entrenched positions and in some cases the ill feeling that can accumulate in the course of a dispute. Until recently ADR and mediation (and to some extent ADR has become synonymous with
Although the lines of distinction between the two may appear to blur, in reality the difference between them is profound. In evaluative mediation at some point the mediator will express a view, (probably simultaneously to all parties) on the strengths and weaknesses of their respective cases. He or she might indicate which arguments might succeed and which might fail. The mediator might even express a view on what might constitute a fair and reasonable settlement. This will not happen in facilitative mediation. In facilitative mediation a neutral third party, the mediator, assists the parties to settle their disputes. The mediator is the catalyst. The
effect on their thinking processes. The emphasis was on the process of handling disputes; familiarisation with rules and procedures, knowledge of the rules of arbitration organisations and familiarity with the Commercial Court Guide.
The mindset was to identify issues and unearth evidence by way of documents, witness testimony and expert opinion with the objective of putting all that at some point before an arbitrator or a Court. Less emphasis was placed on the solution. But in a few short years a whole cultural change has taken place. Law firms now have “Dispute Resolution” departments, not litigation departments. Mediation is a key feature of this change.
(2).- ADR comes in many forms:
(a). “Early neutral evaluation” can be organised at any stage in proceedings. The procedure involves a Judge, an arbitrator or an independent third party (for example a solicitor, or a barrister) sitting with the parties for a day and, on the basis of written evidence put before him (for example documents and witness statements) and on the basis of what he hears from the parties, giving a non-binding view as to the likely outcome of a legal dispute. If the parties have used a Judge in litigation for early neutral evaluation, then if the case does not settle that Judge will not try the case. He will have no further involvement in the procedural aspects of the case.
(b). “Executive tribunal”. This is a
mediation) meant hardly anything to some lawyers. Indeed some had (and have?) a negative attitude to it. Until recently some lawyers were not trained in negotiation skills or dispute resolution at University or in Law School. This inevitably had an
procedure akin to mediation where senior management attend before a mediator together with their case handlers. The case handlers then present their respective cases to the mediator and retire. The mediator then meets the senior personnel to discuss how the matter might be resolved. This procedure might be useful where big corporations are involved and where a case has become bogged down at a middle management level.
pg 3 ©. “Neutral fact finder”. As the name suggests, this procedure involves a neutral third party investigating just the facts of a case and reporting to the parties. The fact finder will not address legal issues (neither liability nor quantum) and will make no assessment on the merits of the case. This procedure is analogous to the procedure which is used in some continental jurisdictions, for example in France where a Court surveyor is appointed to make findings of fact.
(3).- Arbitration.
Some say that arbitration falls within the broad umbrella of ADR. But, in reality, arbitration has more in common with litigation (Court process). Comparing litigation and arbitration the similarities are obvious: there are two (and perhaps more) adversaries, there is generally a formal process for the exchange of pleadings, disclosure of documents, service of witness reports and expert reports. If necessary, parties can be compelled to comply. In each case the process culminates with one or more hearings. At the conclusion of the hearing or hearings there will be some form of determination on the issues which remain live between the parties. Generally there will be one winner and one (or perhaps more) losers. A number of consequences will flow from that determination, notably in terms of who bears the costs or a large part of the costs of the whole process. In many respects these features of arbitration and litigation differ substantially from mediation.
How does Mediation differ from Arbitration? Arbitration is a form of compulsory process. An arbitration agreement can be made in one of two ways. First, parties to a contract may have agreed in advance that in the event that a dispute arises between them, that dispute should be referred to arbitration according to a particular system of law and a particular procedure. Secondly, there may be an ad hoc reference to arbitration after a dispute has arisen. If there is a binding agreement the parties can be compelled to participate, on risk of penalty.
Control of process – orders. The comparison is largely made on the basis that English law applies. Under English law, notably the Arbitration Act 1996, and under most arbitration procedural rules, the arbitration tribunal will be the master of the process and will have authority over the parties in certain respects (supported by the English Court where necessary). This will generally permit the arbitration tribunal to make orders, like setting down the timetable for the arbitration process and compelling the parties to comply with that timetable. Another example; the arbitration tribunal may, generally on the application of one of the parties, order that certain categories of document should be disclosed in the proceedings. In the event that they are not, the arbitrators may be at liberty to impose penalties.
This is quite unlike mediation. Arbitration is private and this is one reason why many commercial bodies prefer that their disputes are always referred to arbitration. There is then less risk that any element of the arbitration will find its way into the public domain. The names of the parties, the issues at stake, the pleadings, the underlying documents, any witness statements, any experts reports and moreover the Arbitration Award itself; few of these are ever likely to see the light of day. In this respect arbitration and mediation are similar, but certainly not identical. The key difference is that there is no guarantee that arbitration proceedings will remain private. If an Award can be appealed, then the trial of that appeal will, save in the most unusual circumstances, be public and the names of the parties and perhaps all of the issues between them will then find their
way into the public domain. An Award may equally become public through an enforcement process or through pursuit of an indemnity claim.
Decision making-award. Arbitration (like litigation) is a decision making process. At the end of the process, at the conclusion of the arbitration hearing, the arbitration tribunal will make findings of fact and conclusions of law and thereby reach an adjudication on the issues between the parties. By contrast, mediation is voluntary. In Court process the Court can “encourage” the parties to refer their dispute to mediation with the threat of costs penalties. This does not apply with arbitration. Since the whole process is voluntary parties can walk out of mediation whenever they wish and, although it is rare, sometimes they do just that. This would be unthinkable in arbitration.
Mediation is without prejudice. Anything created solely for the purpose of the mediation and anything said on the day is without prejudice. In the event that no settlement is reached neither party can rely on any documents created for the mediation nor on anything said on the day in the course of the formal mediation “event”. This is of course only the case under English law (and the laws of the various Common Law nations). Care has to be exercised in conducting mediations where the underlying dispute is subject to a foreign system of law and procedure.
Mediation is private and confidential. Nothing which is said in the course of the mediation can be discussed outside the mediation nor revealed to any third party.
This stipulation of confidentiality is generally embodied in the Mediation Agreement which is signed (usually on the day) to regulate the mediation process. Facilitative mediation is generally conducted by a series of meetings. Usually the mediation opens with a joint meeting attended by the mediator and all the parties. When that joint meeting is concluded, the parties break up into separate private rooms and the mediator effectively conducts shuttle diplomacy between them. Anything which is said at the joint session is confidential. Furthermore, there is a sort of double confidentiality. Anything which is discussed in the private sessions is also confidential and cannot be revealed by the mediator to the other party or parties unless and until he is authorised by the revealing party to do so. This is one of the most unusual and effective features of the process. By contrast, would you reveal to a judge or arbitrator your weaknesses or details of any commercial or financial pressures you face? Obviously not. Under this cloak of confidentiality the parties often reveal to mediators the most extraordinary things, which the mediators can then use (with their authority) to fashion a bargain between the parties. If a case does not settle anything which is revealed at the mediation even if it cannot be used in the formal arbitration might then influence the conduct of that arbitration. Indeed it might influence the conduct of the parties generally in their commercial dealings from that point onwards. As a matter of strict proof or evidence, parties may be then alerted to things they did not previously know. They may be prompted to hunt down alternative sources of evidence to assist them in proving their case later at a final hearing. This is one illustration of the care that is needed in participating in mediation. Mediation is not merely a matter of common sense. It is a skill.
from..p1 The NTSB attempted to determine why, on the day of the accident, a trained, experienced, and otherwise competent mariner failed to effectively carry out routine, but highly crucial, tasks central to his profession. No evidence indicates that the mate was fatigued, and his postaccident toxicological tests showed no signs of alcohol or illegal drugs.
Personal Use of Cell Phone and Laptop Computer by the Caribbean Sea Mate
Contributing to the accident was the failure of Ride The Ducks International maintenance personnel to ensure that DUKW 34's surge tank pressure cap was securely in place before allowing the vehicle to return to passenger service on the morning of the accident, and the failure of the DUKW 34 master to take actions appropriate to the risk of anchoring his vessel in an active navigation channel.
Location of the Caribbean Sea Mate at the Time of the Accident The Caribbean Sea was outfitted with an upper wheelhouse above the main wheelhouse that provided improved visibility. The Caribbean Sea master told investigators that before the accident trip he had spoken with the mate about using the upper wheelhouse during the voyage. The master said that the mate had assured him that this was where he would be. In a postaccident interview with Coast Guard investigators, the mate said that he was operating from the upper wheelhouse when the accident occurred. Although Caribbean Sea crewmembers confirmed that when the voyage began, the mate was operating
from the upper wheelhouse, the NTSB's investigation determined that the mate was not operating from the upper wheelhouse when the accident occurred but was instead occupying the lower wheelhouse. Had an upper wheelhouse not been available, the mate could have navigated the tow combination safely from the lower wheelhouse. The lower wheelhouse was equipped with radars and radios that would have helped the mate monitor his surroundings and avoid hazards. Despite the presence of these navigation aids, however, with the limited visibility ahead because of the high freeboard of the empty barge, the mate would have needed to assign the deckhand, with a radio, as an additional lookout on the bow area of the barge. Evidence also indicates that the mate was not actively monitoring the radars and radios while in the lower wheelhouse. The DUKW 34 master and other mariners clearly radioed warning calls to the tugboat and barge about a minute before the collision. Had the mate been monitoring the radios and radar, even from within the lower wheelhouse, he would have been alerted to the presence of the APV and may have been able to take action to avoid the collision. Based on the mate's own postaccident statements to the Coast Guard, however, he was not aware of the presence of the anchored APV until after the barge had struck it.
The mate's cell phone records revealed a likely explanation for his poor judgment and inattentiveness to his duties on the day of the accident. The records showed that the mate was engaged in voice communications with several family members beginning just 22 minutes after he assumed the watch and continuing up until the time of the accident. A K-Sea Transportation official told investigators that, in a conversation with the mate after the accident, the mate informed him that he had learned while on watch that his young child had suffered a serious medical emergency earlier that day. The official said that the mate told him that he had been "consumed" with dealing with this family crisis (medical records obtained by the NTSB confirmed that the mate's child, who was undergoing a scheduled routine medical procedure that day, had suffered a potentially life-threatening complication less than an hour before the mate went on duty). The mate's cell phone records indicated that 18 outgoing or incoming calls were made or received while the mate was solely responsible for navigating the tugboat and barge. The mate spent at least one-third of his time making or taking calls when he should have been attending to the safe passage of his vessel. It is likely that the mate was using his cell phone at least during the time of the radio calls and possibly at the time of the collision itself.
Moreover, he simultaneously conducted Internet searches on the company laptop computer, which further distracted him from his navigational responsibility. The NTSB therefore concluded that the mate of the Caribbean Sea failed to maintain an appropriate lookout, including monitoring the radios, while navigating the vessel because he was distracted by personal use of his cell phone and the company laptop computer in dealing with a serious family medical emergency. All of the calls on the mate's cell phone during the time leading up to the accident were of relatively short duration and were to or from an immediate family member, which suggests that all of the calls were in regard to the medical emergency. The fact that the calls involved an emotionally troubling event that was likely evolving over a period of time increased the likelihood that the calls would distract the mate from his duties. Although such a distraction is understandable, personal concerns cannot be allowed to create risks for others. If the mariner is unable to fully carry out his responsibilities, for whatever reason, his duty is to turn over those responsibilities to someone else.
Personal Cell Phone Use by the DUKW 34 Deckhand While standing on the bow of the anchored APV, the DUKW 34 deckhand was the individual on board with the greatest height of eye and a 360° unobstructed field of view. He could have used this vantage point to continuously monitor the position of the approaching tugboat/barge combination and, at a minimum, keep the master informed about its progress. Instead, according to the deckhand, he only acted as lookout in the upriver direction (forward), assuming that the master was covering the lookout responsibilities downriver (aft). Additionally, cell phone records reviewed by the NTSB revealed that, while the deckhand was on the bow, he transmitted two text messages and his phone received two others. The last text message that he sent was about 1 minute before he jumped into the water, just before the collision.
National Transport
pg 5 The NTSB therefore concluded that the DUKW 34 deckhand's use of his cell phone to send text messages while he was on the bow of the vessel distracted him from effectively performing his duty as a lookout.
The NTSB was unable to determine the extent to which cell phone use by mariners has caused or contributed to marine accidents. Coast Guard investigations typically have not verified nonoperational cell phone use following marine accidents.
Nonoperational Use of Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices Using cellular telephones and other wireless electronic devices has been demonstrated to be visually, manually, and cognitively distracting. Talking on cell phones can have serious consequences in safety-critical situations, and sending or reading text messages is potentially even more distracting than talking because texting requires visual attention to the display screen of the device.
That safety alert specifically mentioned the risk of using these devices when mariners were performing navigation duties alone, as was the mate on the Caribbean Sea. Based on this response, Safety Recommendation M-10-3 was classified "Closed—Acceptable Action" on December 14, 2010. Cell phone use has been a factor in accidents in all transportation modes. For example, the NTSB has investigated several fatal railroad accidents in which use of a wireless device was identified as causal or contributing. As a result of that accident investigation, the NTSB made the following safety recommendation to the Federal Railroad Administration:
As a result of its preliminary investigations of two marine accidents occurring in December 2009 involving collisions between Coast Guard and civilian vessels, the NTSB, on August 11, 2010, issued the following safety recommendation to the Coast Guard:
Promulgate new or amended regulations that will control the use of cellular telephones and similar wireless communication devices by railroad operating employees while on duty so that such use does not affect operational safety. (R-03-1)
Issue a safety advisory to the maritime industry that (1) promotes awareness of the risk posed by the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices while operating vessels and (2) encourages the voluntary development of operational policies to address the risk. (M-10-3)
Inappropriate use of cell phones or other wireless electronic devices has also been cited as a causal or contributing factor in highway accidents that the NTSB has investigated.
In response to Safety Recommendation M-10-3, the Coast Guard, on October 29, 2010, issued Marine Safety Advisory 01-10, Distracted Operations–Don't let it be you, which warned mariners of the danger and potential for distraction from duty caused by the use of a cellular telephone or wireless device for purposes unrelated to vessel operation.
In this accident, the Caribbean Sea mate was operating the vessel from the lower, rather than the upper, wheelhouse when the accident occurred, an action possibly explained by his desire for an environment favorable for using his cell phone and accessing K-Sea's laptop computer for Internet searches. On DUKW 34 leading up to the collision, the deckhand was using his personal cell phone to send text messages instead of performing his duty as lookout.
As a result, the Coast Guard's marine accident database does not explicitly record instances in which nonoperational use of a cell phone or other wireless device has been causal in an accident. The ability to determine the extent of inappropriate cell phone or other wireless device use will provide investigators and policymakers with important information about this form of distracted operations on board marine vessels, but this information will have been gathered after accidents have occurred. The NTSB believes that critical measures can be taken to keep those accidents from happening. These include a continuing outreach program of information and education to the maritime industry on this issue, regulations to prohibit nonoperational use of communication devices, and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the regulations are being adhered to. The NTSB recognizes the difficulty of this task. Establishing that a wireless communication device was actually used leading up to an accident can be an involved and time consuming process. Additionally, the devices in question are small and therefore easily concealable, and those individuals or employees wishing to circumvent the prohibitions on their use can frequently do so undetected. But the consequences that can result from such use, as shown by this accident, are serious enough to demand that every feasible action be taken to prevent it. Because cell phones and other wireless electronic devices have come to play such a prominent role in the day-to-day activities of people in all walks of life and because their use has been
tation Safety Board
implicated in accidents across all transportation modes, the NTSB concluded that increased Coast Guard focus on and oversight of mariners' use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices will prevent accidents and save lives. Therefore, the National Transportation Safety Board makes the following safety recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard: Develop and implement an investigative protocol that directs your investigation officers to routinely check for nonoperational use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices by onduty crewmembers in safetycritical positions involved in marine accidents. (M-11-1) Revise your commercial vessel accident database (MISLE) to maintain a record of nonoperational use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices by onduty crewmembers in safetycritical positions when such use is causal or contributory to marine accidents. (M-11-2) Regulate and enforce the restriction on nonoperational use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices by on-duty crewmembers in safety-critical positions so that such use does not adversely affect vessel operational safety. Until you can develop regulations governing nonoperational use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices by on-duty crewmembers in safety-critical positions, continue your outreach program of information and education to the maritime industry on this issue. (M-11-4) The NTSB also issued one safety recommendation to Ride The Ducks International, LLC, one safety recommendation to K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P., and one safety recommendation to The American Waterways Operators. Chairman HERSMAN, Vice Chairman HART, and Members SUMWALT, ROSEKIND, and WEENER concurred in these recommendations. By: Deborah A.P. Hersman Chairman
(Compliments NTSB)
US Congress Moves to Arm Ships against Pirates Pete Goldin | 15 Sep 2011 New law calls for guards to protect government cargo The US House Transportation Committee has approved a landmark act which authorises armed security on vessels carrying government cargo. The aim is to protect equipment, materials, or commodities from piracy in high-risk waters.
The bill also says the US will seek reimbursement from the country of origin for the cost of any action taken to protect “foreign - flagged” ship from pirates. The purpose is to encourage other countries to support efforts to suppress piracy, such as joining the Combined Maritime Forces, a coalition of naval forces from around the world.
More than 60% were by Somali pirates, the majority of which were in the Arabian Sea area. On 30 June, Somali pirates were holding 20 vessels and 420 crew, demanding ransoms of millions of dollars for their release. IFW is part of an international campaign calling on world governments to act decisively against piracy.
climbs down from the bar stool, and staggers out the front door. A few minutes later, the same drunk stumbles in the side door of the bar. He wobbles up to the bar and hollers for a drink. The bartender comes over and still politely if not more firmly refuses service to the man and again offers to call a cab.
“Many nations are reaping the benefits of our presence without pulling their own weight,” said Congressman Frank LoBiondo, who introduced the bill.
The drunk looks at the bartender for a moment angrily, curses, and shows himself out the side door, all the while grumbling and shaking his head.
“To rectify this situation, my legislation allows the US to seek reimbursement from vessel flag states for the protection they receive from the US military.”
A few minutes later, the same drunk bursts in through the back door of the bar. He plops himself up on a bar stool, gathers his wits and belligerently orders a drink.
The Piracy Suppression Act of 2011 now moves on to the full House for consideration.
Owners or operators of these vessels will be reimbursed by the US government for the cost of providing armed personnel.
Earlier this year, IFW reported how pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean region had climbed dramatically over the first six months of 2011.
The Piracy Suppression Act of 2011 also provides training for seafarers on the use of force against pirates, including firearms safety for crew members of vessels carrying government cargo.
According to figures from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), there were 266 attacks on vessels in the period, compared with 196 last year.
The Demon Drink A man walks into the front door of a bar. He is obviously drunk and staggers up to the bar, seats himself on a stool and, with a belch, asks the bartender for a drink. The bartender politely informs the man that it appears he has already had plenty to drink and that he could not be served additional liquor. The bartender offers to call a cab for him. The drunk is briefly surprised, then softly scoffs, grumbles,
The bartender comes over and emphatically reminds the man that he is drunk and will be served no drinks. He then tells him that he can either call a cab or the police immediately. The surprised drunk looks at the bartender and in hopeless anguish cries, "Man! How many bars do you work at?"
Not so bird-brained:
Clever crows recognise faces Humans who dismiss birds as featherweights may revise their opinion when learning of crows which not only can identify the face of someone who is a danger but also teach others about the threat. Intrigued by the behaviour of wild American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) on their campus in Seattle, University of Washington scientists explored whether the birds would recall a face associated with a frightening ordeal. The researchers donned the rubber mask of a caveman before trapping, banding and releasing seven crows. Thereafter, researchers wore either this "dangerous" mask or a neutral one -- that of former US vice president Dick Cheney -- and
observed, as they walked along the college paths, how the flock of crows reacted. The "crow magnon" mask prompted the birds into a collective response to a threat. They cawed and screeched, angrily flapped their wings and flicked their tail to warn of the danger, a behaviour called scolding.
By Richard Ingham AFP News–Wed, Jun 29, 2011 But the Cheney mask elicited no response. The team broadened the experiment to four other sites beyond the university, this time using different masks made in latex by a mask maker. The faces were ordinary looking, either male
or female, Asian or Caucasian. Forty-one birds were caught and banded. As time passed, the number of birds scolding the "dangerous" face did not decline. Rather, the reverse happened. At the university site, scolding rose from 20 percent of the birds after the banding to an astonishing 60 percent after five years.
"At the other sites, we only tested for a half year and there, 20 to 40 percent of crows scolded," John Marzluff, a professor of wildlife science, said in an email. What caused the increase in scolding? Some of the angry birds were the offspring of banded crows, who as fledglings had watched as their parents reacted to the perceived danger.
pg 7 HUMOUR (Compliments BOW-WAVE Nr 607)
Oxymoron – Top 45:45. Act naturally 44. Found missing 43. Resident alien 42. Advanced BASIC 41. Genuine imitation 40. Airline Food 39. Good grief
:)
Please don't try this. UNBELIEVABLE!!! This is the case of 1 photographer taking photographs of a 2nd photographer. The following photos were taken by Hans van de Vorst from the Netherlands at the Grand Canyon, Arizona . The descriptions are his own. The identity of the 2nd photographer is unknown. I was simply stunned seeing this guy standing on this solitary rock at The Grand Canyon .
But there were also unbanded crows, living up to 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) from the site. They joined in, apparently learning of the threat through the contagion of mobbing. Facial recognition is essential for the crows, says the study. Some humans in the area put out food for the birds while others shot them. "Some of our sites were rather rural and the birds there are very wary, having been persecuted by people," explained Marzluff. "Urban crows are very attentive to people, having to sort the good providers from the dangerous.� The crows are particularly intriguing because they have to juggle three potential sources of information, says the paper, which is published in a British journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. The birds acquired information
38. Same difference 37. Almost exactly 36. Government organization 35. Sanitary landfill 34. Alone together 33. Legally drunk 32. Silent scream 31. Living dead 30. Small crowd 29. Business ethics 28. Soft rock 27. Butt head 26. Military intelligence
25. Software documentation 24. New classic 23. Sweet sorrow 22. Child Proof 21. "Now, then ..." 20. Synthetic natural gas 19. Passive aggression 18. Taped live 17. Clearly misunderstood 16. Peace force 15. Extinct life 14. Temporary tax increase 13. Computer jock
12. Plastic glasses 11. Terribly pleased 10. Computer security 9. Political science 8. Tight slacks 7. Definite maybe 6. Pretty ugly 5. Twelve-ounce pound cake 4. Diet ice cream 3. Working vacation 2. Exact estimate 1. Microsoft Works
The canyon's depth is 900 meters (3000ft) here. The rock on the right is next to the canyon and is safe. Watching this guy - wearing flip-flop sandals - with camera and tripod, I asked myself 3 questions:
hand) and prepared himself for the jump.
a tripod and a plastic bag, either on his shoulder or in his left hand. Only his right hand is available to grab the rock and the weight of his stuff is a problem. He landed low - his right hand and right foot are slipping. At this very moment, I took this shot. He then pushed his body against the rock, waited for a few seconds, threw his stuff up on the flat rock , climbed up and walked away, presumably to a bathroom to change his shorts. I know I had to change mine - and I was only watching ! Hans van de Vorst
:)
1. How did he get onto that rock ? 2. Why not take that sunset picture from the rock to the right, which is perfectly safe? 3. How will he get back? After the sun set behind the canyon's horizon, he packed his things (having only one free either first hand, through their own experience; "vertically," from their parents; or "horizontally" from other birds. Managing this implies the birds have remarkable flexibility in processing information. In evolutionary terms, animals have to make a trade-off when it comes to processing information. Gaining information first-hand -about threats or food, for instance -- is the most reliable way but it is also potentially risky. Acquiring it from trusted individuals is less costly but also potentially less reliable, and even more so when the information comes from more distant sources. The American crow is unlikely to be alone in its multi-tasking data processing. "It has not been demonstrated, but I'm sure jackdaws and rooks (also) use both individual, horizontal and vertical methods of learning," said Marzluff.
:)
This took about 2 minutes, and at that point, he had the full attention of the crowd of tourists. He's now at the point of no return - he jumped in his flip-flops. Now you can see that the safe rock is higher so he had to land lower - which was quite steep and tried to use his one free hand to grab the rock. Look carefully at the photographer. He has a camera,
:)
Comments When very young; in the Netherlands, I rescued two baby crows and hand-fed them and bonded with them. They must have regarded me as their parent. I trained both "Karl" and "Wilhelm" to do all sorts of clever things. Walking, or riding my bike they did not mind each sitting on my shoulders. I think they learned to understand my words. They are indeed very clever birds, besides also being comical creatures. Their eyesight proved to be something else...from a big distance they would see me and dive-bombed me with their bodies. Food is what they wanted....and more food. I had the two birds for about 3 years and then all of a sudden they disappeared not to be seen again. They must have found their mates and started a healthy family.
I used to allow visiting crows that came to my compound and ate my dog's pellets. When I was out 100 metres away the whole lot became chirpy, flew low close to me and greeted me when I reached home. They are wondrous creatures of God's creation. Very angry when I saw crow shooters killing them during dinner time in full view of children and they would screamed at us for looking at them...suspect some shooters must be mentally ill. They also shoot crows on Vesak Day, in full view of monks. Fooled by masks, nothing to crow about. If the crows recognized the researchers based on their gait, posture, height and weight, which would be impressive.
Safety First !! Lately it has been noticed that an increased number of eye injuries have been reported by fleet vessels. In the past other similar cases have also been reported for which preventive measures were effected in order to minimize their occurrence, (e.g. instructions for goggles to be used without venting holes). As it is the nature of their job, seafarers may be exposed to the ultraviolet and radiant energy involved in welding or cutting. In addition, flying particulates, dust, and other debris are generated, not only by the work being done by a specific crew member, but also by other work taking place nearby, esp. when it is windy . Four cases are mentioned here below as examples: Case 1: A steam line was dismantled and brought to the engine room work shop for repair. While being delivered to the workshop, the fitter took hold of the other end of the pipe while at the other end, pumpman lift it high, enough to clear the passing oiler's head.
Message from the DPA: In our industry we spend a lot of time discussing about risk management techniques, how to prevent big accidents like collisions, pollution, etc. We must never forget, however, that the most common accidents on board are related to personal safety, and that these are equally important because they are directly relevant to human life – your life! You should never let your focus shift away from your everyday “routine� jobs. There is no magic solution to avoiding personal injury; you simply MUST follow the basic rules: -
always use the protective gear required for the job (gloves, goggles, safety helmet, harness, etc)
Case 4: Under instructions from Bosun, an O/S was dismantling the Pneumatic Jet-chisel gun for routine maintenance, inside the stbd midship store. Whilst loosening the nozzle, the pipewrench arms slipped around the nozzle body and some foreign object flew & made contact with the cornea of his right eye. The O/S had to visit a doctor and he was then repatriated due to this injury. Option 1 By doing so, the end held by the fitter was almost exactly in front of his eyes and as the end held by the pumpman in-line of the blower outlet, a gust of wind blew through the pipe thereby forcing some small metal particles out of the other end which a small particle went to fitter's right eye. As his first reaction was rubbing his right eye, the small particle went and imbedded itself further. The fitter, after a few minutes complained discomfort to his eyes to the 2nd Engineer and Chief Engineer who immediately look and wash the fitter's eye with eye wash in the effort that the foreign matter will be removed. After repeated washing using the solution, situation did not improve and a visit to the doctor was necessary. Case 2: Vessel was in Constantza shipyards. On the way to accommodation, a small particle of sand from sand blasting machine got to fitter's left eye. Fitter was sent to the hospital on the same day. Doctor took out small particle from his eye, washed the eye by anesthetic and gave him antibiotics to avoid inflammation witch start appearing on his eye. Case 3: During routine inspection of Engine Room by 3/E, a solid particle accidentally hit him his left eye. In the morning time 3/E advised C/O about the problem with his eye and requested medical assistance. All attempts to remove the particle from his eye failed, and a visit to the doctor was necessary.
Safety goggles were not being used in any of these cases. In addition to the above cases there are at least 10 near misses reported during 2011 were various relevant jobs are being carried out without the use of the proper eye protection. Such jobs are de-rusting cutting iron plates with use of acetylene, painting or mixing paints with thinner, using an air hose to unclogge a pipe, using rust remover, heaving up anchor etc. Although most eye injuries do not result in permanent damage, they are almost always painful and there is always a potential for loss of sight in one or both eyes. Fortunately, with selection and use of proper personal protective equipment, most eye injuries can be prevented.
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always use the appropriate tools for the job plan the job, execute as per plan, always under suitable supervision remain focused and concentrated throughout the entire job.
Just follow these simple rules every day, no matter how simple or repetitive a task may seem. Most importantly, it is not enough to follow these rules yourself; encourage all others to do the same. Discuss with your colleagues and increase your safety awareness as a whole. Personal safety is achieved by an entire group, not a single person! Anthony Lambros / Q&S Manager DPA I welcome your comments, suggestions or feedback on the contents of this column (Safety First!) at q&s@centrofin.gr For example:
Option 1 Safety goggles with a seal can provide more complete protection against grinding dust getting into eyes if safety glasses with side vents are not sufficient. Goggles have ventilation and/or special lenses to prevent fogging. Option 3
Option 2 Wearing a safety face shield that covers the entire face or wearing a face shield over safety glasses are options that may provide necessary additional protection from grinding dust, especially if the dust is dropping from above. If respiratory protection is required, a full-face respirator provides the needed level of protection against both grinding dust and respiratory hazards.
Option 3 Safety glasses under the welding hood are necessary to provide protection from flying particles that may be generated by adjacent operations.
- pg 9 -
Safety Bulletin 11-04 TRUST (Ten Really Useful Safety Tips)
PROTECTION FOR YOUR EYES · Eye wash liquid should be conveniently placed in areas where jobs with high risk of eye injury are taking place e.g. inside the paint room. · Care should be taken to prevent concentrated liquids and powders from coming in contact with exposed areas of the skin or eyes. In the event of exposure, the affected area should be immediately washed with ample amounts of fresh water and an eye flushing device used where necessary. · In case small particles enter the eye avoid rubbing it! · Chemicals should always be handled with extreme care, protection should be worn and the manufacturer's instructions closely followed. Particular attention should be paid to protecting eyes. · Airless spray equipment ejects paint at a very high pressure. The operation is hazardous as the paint can penetrate the skin or cause eye injuries. · Welding, flame-cutting and other hot work operations should be conducted within the "permit-to-work" system, whenever carried out in a non workshop location. The operator should ALWAYS wear a welding helmet and suitable eye shield. · Man-made mineral fibres, such as those found within insulation material, can cause skin, nose and eye irritation. Appropriate personal protective equipment, such as goggles, masks and coveralls should be worn when handling such material. · Choose THE CORRECT protection for your eyes. It is not always so straight forward which PPE is suitable for each specific job. · Face and eye protectors are available in a wide variety of designs. Careful consideration should be given to the characteristics of the respective hazard to ensure the selection of the appropriate protector. Ordinary prescription (corrective) spectacles, unless manufactured to a safety standard, do not afford protection. Certain box-type goggles are designed so that they can be worn over ordinary spectacles.
Cases of Hand Injuries Source: Mariners' Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS Report No 206) Loss of hand
A crew member, assisted by a cadet, was ordered to unlash and lower a pneumatically-powered accommodation ladder. Due to unfamiliarity with the procedures and equipment, instead of slowly 'breaking out' the ladder safely by means of the manual winch provided, the seaman attempted to combine both the swing-out and lowering movements by tentatively opening all the air valves and moving all the control levers to maximum. As the winch paid out the wire rope with the ladder still in the stowed position, a number of loose turns came off the drum, coiling around the crew member's right hand, which was still gripping the main operating lever. Suddenly, when the ladder swung out and dropped, the loose turns instantly pulled tight, severing his right hand from the base of the thumb and shearing away the control handle. Reconstructive surgery was done, but it is likely that the crew member will have a permanent disability which will prevent him from continuing a seafaring career. Root causes 1. The crew member had not been properly familiarised in the preparation and operation of the accommodation ladder and failed to communicate this fact to the bosun when the task was assigned to him; 2. The accommodation ladder operation was not supervised by an experienced person and was conducted in an unsafe manner by the crew member, who did not follow the correct 'breaking out' and control valve operational procedures; 3.No operating instructions were displayed locally; 4. No risk assessment for the operation of the accommodation ladder appeared to have been conducted; and 5. Improper design – the control levers were located very close to the rotating wire rope drum, which had no protective guard fitted. Corrective actions 1. Accommodation ladder repaired and verified by class; 2. Ship-specific familiarisation about the proper operation of the accommodation ladder conducted and recorded for all crew. Operating controls located dangerously close to unguarded wire rope drum Lesson learned: 'If you don't know, say NO'
Loss of finger
Having embarked a pilot, a vessel had heaved up her anchor and was under way. On the forecastle, the bosun proceeded to show a newly-joined deck officer the features of the 'guillotine'-type anchor cable stopper bar arrangement. The bosun and the officer were positioned on the opposite sides of the device, with the stopper bar in its open position (standing upright), and so the officer's view of the bosun was obscured by the heavy bar. In the course of their discussion, in order to demonstrate the correct method of securing the stopper bar, the bosun inserted his finger into the eye of the lug through which the securing pin is inserted. Unfortunately, at the very same moment the officer, unaware that the bosun's finger was in the 'guillotine', inadvertently released the hold-back hook of the stopper bar. As the bar fell down with great speed, the bosun's middle finger was crushed. The bosun was immediately transferred to the pilot boat and rushed directly to a hospital ashore, where his finger had to be amputated. Root causes 1. Human error: lack of situational awareness; 2. Inadequate risk assessment; 3. Failure to comply with safety precautions as per company's safety management system (SMS) and Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP), Ch 25, 'Anchoring, mooring and towing operations'; 4. The deck officer failed to put into place appropriate control measures to prevent inadvertent release of the locking bar from its open position; 5. The bosun failed to take into account the potential consequences of the unexpected release of the raised stopper bar. Lessons learned 1. Never put your body parts in any location where sudden or uncontrolled movement or impact may occur. 2. The safety performance of crew members on board should be closely monitored at all times and any unsafe acts or behaviour should be stopped and rectified immediately. 3. The stopper device's 'guillotine' and landing area must be permanently marked with hazard stripes and a symbol or sign forbidding the placing of hands or limbs on and within the lugs. 4. In general, many tasks on board ship require the aligning of matching holes and insertion of pins or bolts, such as rigging stopper arrangements, connecting pipe flanges, drive couplings, and steering systems, closing up of machinery and manhole lids. There have been many incidents where the careless use of fingers for verifying the alignment of holes has resulted in serious injuries and the loss of fingers. The responsible person must enforce the use of a rod or similar tool for this purpose and ensure that all involved in the task fully understand the injury hazards in using fingers instead. The lessons must be reiterated during the work planning meeting at the work site before the task commences.
> Operating controls located dangerously close to unguarded wire rope drum Suggested position for hazard symbol/sign, forbidding placing of hand
Bosun's finger crushed here by falling stopper bar
HUMOUR
15.Queen Elizabeth was the "Virgin Queen". As a Queen she was a success. When she exposed herself before her troops they all shouted "hurrah".
O-Level Hilarity Extracts from allegedly genuine GCSE exam answers which are doing the rounds on the internet.
1. Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies and they all wrote in hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah desert and travelled by Camelot. The climate of the Sarah is such that the inhabitants have to live elsewhere.
16.It was an age of great 5. The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we wouldn't have history .The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a female moth.
11.Nero was a cruel tyranny who
6. Actually, Homer was not
12.Joan of Arc was burnt to a
written by Homer but by another man of that name.
7. Socrates was a famous Greek 2. The Bible is full of interesting
teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. Socrates died from an overdose of wedlock. After his death, his career took a dramatic decline.
caricatures. In the first book of the Bible, Guinnesses, Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. One of their children, Cain, asked "Am I my brother's son?”
8. In the Olympic games, Greeks
3. Moses led the Hebrew slaves
9. Eventually, the Romans
to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread made without ingredients. Moses went up on mount Cyanide to get the Ten Commandments. He died before he reached Canada.
10.Julius Caesar extinguished
4. Solomon had three hundred wives and seven hundred porcupines.
Udderly Gorgeous 'Krista' Named Germany's Prettiest Cow
ran races, jumped, hurled the biscuits, and threw the java. conquered the Greeks. History calls people Romans because they never stayed in one place for very long.
German Holstein Show, an event sponsored by the German Holstein Association).
13.In midevil times most people were alliterate. The greatest writer of the futile ages was Chaucer, who wrote many poems and verses and also wrote literature.
14.Another story was William Tell, who shot an arrow through an apple while standing on his son's head.
17.The greatest writer of the Renaissance was William Shakespeare. He was born in the year 1564, supposedly on his birthday. He never made much money and is famous only because of his plays. He wrote tragedies, comedies, and hysterectomies, all in Islamic pentameter. Romeo and Juliet are an example of a heroic couplet. Romeo's last wish was to be laid by Juliet.
HUMOUR From Paul Dixon – c/0 Bow-Wave A man goes to the doctor to find out about his tests.
(Competition is stiff for the grand prize, which comes complete with sash and trophy. Eight finalists were chosen from more than 200 Holsteins who appeared at the event).
"It's real bad, I'm afraid", says the doc "you've got a disease so new that it hasn't even got a name yet - we just call it 'Blue 56'. The only certain thing is that you'll be dead in three days" Naturally the man is devastated, and lapses into a big depression. His girlfriend suggests they go to Vegas to cheer him up just a bit till the end comes. So he goes reluctantly.
("The udders** should be wide and the back high," says a juror)
(Krista the cow managed to defend her 2009 title as "Miss Germany" at the
steak and was canonised by Bernard Shaw. Finally Magna Carta provided that no man should be hanged twice for the same offence.
himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The Ides of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be made king. Dying, he gasped out "Tee hee, Brutus.”
(Compliments 'DER SPIEGEL – Online' / 10 June 2011) Forget Germany's Next Top Model. This week the country's eyes were trained on Germany's next top cow: Krista, the defending champion from Lower Saxony, became the envy of bovine beauty queens across the land when she won the grand prize at this year's German Holstein Show (DHV).
would torture his subjects by playing the fiddle to them.
inventions and discoveries. Gutenberg invented removable type and the Bible. Another important invention was the circulation of blood. Sir Walter Raleigh is a historical figure because he invented cigarettes and started smoking. And Sir Francis Drake circumcised the world with a 100 foot clipper.
{**Note - Ed. The part under the body of a cow and some other female animals, shaped like a small bag, in which milk is produced.}
As he walks into the Casino, he's the millionth customer and wins a brand new Rolls Royce. Then he pulls the handle of a slot machine as he passes, and wins the golden jackpot of $7m.
He sits down for a rest at the Blackjack table and wins $100,000 - straight 21's and he can't even be bothered to turn the cards. Weighed down with money, he throws it onto the nearest table. But it's the roulette wheel and the money is on 22 - which promptly comes up! "Jeez," says the croupier, "I never seen luck like that in my whole life!" "No, you don't understand" says the guy "I've got blue 56" "Goddamn ! Now you've won the raffle!!"
pg 11 [Source: Paul Dixon's Joke of the Day]
18.Writing at the same time as Shakespeare was Miquel Cervantes. He wrote Donkey Hote. The next great author was John Milton. Milton wrote Paradise Lost. Then his wife died and he wrote Paradise Regained.
Congress. Thomas Jefferson, a Virgin, and Benjamin Franklin were two singers of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin discovered electricity by rubbing two cats backwards and declared, "A horse divided against itself cannot stand" Franklin died in 1790 and is still dead.
22.Soon the Constitution of the
19.During the Renaissance America began. Christopher Columbus was a great navigator who discovered America while cursing about the Atlantic. His ships were called the N1na, the Pinta, and the Santa Fe. 20.Later, the pilgrims crossed the ocean, and this was called Pilgrim's Progress. The winter of 1620 was a hard one for the settlers. Many people died and many babies were born. Captain John Smith was responsible for all this. 21.One of the causes of the Revolutionary War was the English put tacks in their tea. Also, the colonists would send their parcels through the post without stamps. Finally the colonists won the war and no longer had to pay for taxis. Delegates from the original 13 states formed the Contented
United States was adopted to secure domestic hostility. Under the constitution the people enjoyed the right to keep bare arms.
26.Johann Bach wrote a great many musical compositions and had a large number of children. In between he practiced on an old spinster which he kept up in his attic. Bach died in 1750 to the present. Bach was the most famous composer and so was Handel. Handel was half German half Italian and half English. He was very large.
23.Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves by signing the Emasculation Proclamation. 27.Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was so deaf he wrote loud music. He took very long walks in the forest even though everyone was calling for him. Beethoven expired in 1827 and later died for this. 28.The French Revolution was 24.Meanwhile in Europe, the enlightenment was a reasonable time. Voltaire invented electricity and also wrote a book called Candy.
accomplished before it had happened and catapulted into Napoleon. Napoleon wanted an heir to inherit his power, but since Josephine was a Baroness, she couldn't have any children.
25.Gravity was invented by Isaac Walton. It is chiefly noticeable in the autumn when the apples are falling off the trees.
29.The sun never set on the British Empire because the British Empire is in the East and the sun sets in the West.
4. Higher Fructose Fruits Papaya, banana, cherries (1 Cup) grapes (1 Cup) mango, melon (2 wedges), orange, pear pineapple, (2 rings), watermelon (1 large slice) 5. High Nutrient Natural Starches yam, sweet potato, tapioca, brown rice, quinoa 6. Grains — bread, pasta etc (white rice falls under here too, but its not as problematic) 7. Nonsense crappy starch foods — the rest! To help understand what one should and should not be eating, one likes to put carbohydrates on a continuum. At the top, we start with the kinds of carbohydrates that every body can, and should eat. And moving down, these are the kinds of carbohydrates that should be eaten in fewer circumstances.
1. Green veggies 2. Non-Green Veggies 3. Lower fructose fruits Apricots, avocado (1/3 medium; yes, it's a fruit) blackberries (1/2 cup), figs, grapefruit (1/2 medium), peach, plum, raspberries (1/2 cup) strawberries (1/2 cup) tomato (yes, also a fruit), pears, oranges
If you are naturally lean, and can handle starches well, stay at number 1-5 with an occasional 6 if you have no grain-related allergies. If you are a natural fat boy (oops that includes me…) but exercise a lot and can see your abs, stay within number 1-3 for best results.
30.Queen Victoria was the longest queen. She sat on the thorn for 63 years. She was a moral woman who practiced virtue. Her death was the final event of her reign.
31.The nineteenth century was a time of a great many thoughts and inventions. People stopped reproducing by hand and started reproducing by machine. The invention of the steamboat caused a network of rivers to spring up. Cyrus McCormick invented the McCormick raper, which did the work of a hundred men. 32.Lois Pasteur discovered a cure for rabbis. Charles Darwin was a naturalist who wrote the Organ of the Species. Madman Curie discovered radio. And Karl Marx became one of the Marx brothers. 33.The First World War, caused by the assignation of the ArchDuck by an anahist, ushered in a new error in the anals of human history.
food
If you are very overly fat (can't see your abs at all) — more than 20 percent for women and 15-18 percent for men then stay within 1-2. If you don't care about burning fat, or getting leaner, or being healthy and living long, eat number 7 all day. So, understand that you are special and different, and you need to eat accordingly. Stay lean and healthy by customising carbohydrate intake to your current body fat level and genetic type. Above all monitor your blood pressure, have your annual health check-up, including sugar level-prostrate –and exercise. The best advice comes from your GP Doctor.
have on the ship and the actions which are required to avoid incident.
screen area if a suitable scale has not been selected.
Maintaining situational awareness
ECDIS: the Risks of Over-Reliance As the number of vessels being fitted with electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) increases in advance of the International Maritime Organization mandatory implementation dates, the risk of ECDIS-related incidents may also increase. Comprehensive approved training for watchkeepers and robust onboard procedures are required to ensure the risk of ECDISrelated incidents are minimised. It is very easy for navigating officers to be drawn into relying solely on the information provided
by the ECDIS system as it appears to provide all the information needed to navigate the ship safely and to a high degree of accuracy. As systems are further developed and manufacturers integrate additional inputs into the ECDIS, the temptation to rely solely on the equipment may increase. However, in cases where the system is not set up and operated correctly, critical information can be removed from the display or may not appear within the visible
To maintain full situational awareness and ensure the safe execution of the voyage, the watch-keeper must verify the information displayed and should use the ECDIS in conjunction with all other available independent sources of information. This should include traditional methods of navigation and collision avoidance, such as visual observation of traffic and navigational marks. Good situational awareness requires the watch keeper to use all available sources of information continuously to develop a clear picture of what is going on all round the ship, the effect this will
Off the coast of California, debris is expected to circulate either north or south, taking either the Alaskan or North Equatorial currents back to the western reaches of the ocean.
(Compliments 'Bow-Wave' by Sam Ignaski – 28 June 2011)
Full story as carried by the Daily Telegraph:http://tinyurl.com/pacificdebris
ECDIS is another tool which navigators have at their disposal – not a replacement for the skills and practices which have been developed to ensure safe navigation.
The waste will move at a speed of between 5 and 10 miles a day, catching the North Pacific Current and crossing the ocean in as little as 12 months.
(Environment)
Millions of tons of debris washed out to sea from north-east Japan by the March 11 tsunami has embarked on a 10-year circuit of the Pacific, endangering shipping and wildlife.
When ECDIS is setup and used correctly in conjunction with traditional navigational skills and other available sources of information, navigators are provided with real-time positional information and anti-grounding alarms, which provide advance warning of hazards. This should reduce the risks of a navigation incident occurring while ensuring watchkeepers have sufficient capacity to concentrate on collision avoidance.
creating numerous spills, while containers from industrial facilities will leak pesticides, chemicals and a wide range of other pollutants, the organisation said.
Pacific Garbage Patch For once a maritime story which charts the effects of man on the ocean environment which does not relate to ships and shipping, so much as to the progress of debris, moving at a stately 10 miles a day on its way to joining the great gyre:
The watch-keeper must be able to interpret and apply the information correctly and question its accuracy – a skill which only comes with training and experience. By using and correctly interpreting multiple sources of information, the watchkeeper can develop a clear picture on which decisions can be based.
23 Jun 2011
By Julian Ryall in Tokyo
will congregate into two floating "garbage patches," one in the east and the other in the west of the Pacific.
The French environmental group Robin des Bois estimates that a large percentage of the 25 million tons of debris created by the magnitude 9 earthquake and the tsunami that it triggered has been sucked out to sea.
The debris includes damaged fishing boats, cars, shipping containers and the contents of thousands of houses, including refrigerators, along with plastics, wood, rubber and items made of PVC.
After being caught in the swirling currents for a number of years, it
Many of the vehicles will discharge their oil and fuel,
Much is predicted to end up caught in the vortex of the Eastern Garbage Patch, which is estimated to measure between 270,000 square miles and 5.8 million square miles. "Over time plastic debris eventually fragments into tiny particles creating 'plastic plankton' or 'microplastic,' which is a serious long-term concern, particularly for marine food webs." the organisation said.
pg 13 up doesn't really help. After its odour-fighting ability is exhausted, the used baking soda will still have enough power to use for cleaning counters, trash cans, or drains, Brown says, but don't use it for baking or personal care. 2. Open the box in the right location
The facts about removing odour from the fridge By Brian Clark Howard Posted Oct 19, 2010 The non-toxic, natural cleaning powers of baking soda have been known for generations, and many people leave a box of the stuff in their refrigerator to try to fight odours. But many of us aren't using it correctly. There are some things you should know about how baking soda works to get real results and the best value for your money. Baking soda, which is really 100% sodium bicarbonate, eliminates odours by neutralizing strong acids and stabilising strong bases – the root causes of most bad odours. According to Leslie Stein of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, there aren't any real-world studies that prove the odour-eating effectiveness of baking soda, but there are reams of anecdotal evidence and lessons from the lab. To get the most out of baking soda, follow these three guidelines. 1. Replace it often Most of us leave an open box of baking soda in the fridge for months, if not years. But experts recommend changing out a fresh box every one to three months. Baking soda neutralizes odours by turning them into inert crystalline salts, according to Ray Brown, a research and development scientist with Church & Dwight. Over time, the salts build up (that's the crust that develops on the top) and baking soda loses its effectiveness. Brown says the odours work their way through the box and stirring it
It's critical that the baking soda powder actually come in contact with the odours. Tear off the box top, and make sure that airflow around the baking soda isn't restricted by a shelf or other items in the refrigerator. The best bet is to place an open box as close as possible to the refrigerator's fan. "Baking soda is not like a fragrance, which goes into the air to cover up odours," says Brown. "Baking soda reacts with the bad odours. When the fridge door is closed, air is circulating past the baking soda, and odours are continually removed.” 3. Use the right tool for the job If baking soda isn't working on a tough odour, or if you want to get rid of all odours, including chemically neutral ones like fruity or floral scents, try activated carbon (sometimes called activated charcoal). This material is treated to make it extremely porous, like a sponge for the air, so it can absorb a large amount of odour – but it still must be replaced. Activated carbon is used in water filters, shoe inserts, cat litter, and fish tanks, and can be purchased at pet stores or ordered online. The downside? It's not as widely available as baking soda, and it costs more (about five times as much, per pound.) So most of the time, you'll be better off sticking with baking soda.
World Riots – London An Image …a Thousand Words
Oceana/ Carlos Minguell 05/12/2011
BALTIC SEA EXPEDITION PHOTOS Crazy Creatures Under Threat A research expedition in the Baltic Sea has yielded spectacular photos of surprisingly colourful life below the calm surface. But the images also reveal a more sinister reality ---the alarming spread of "dead zones" threatening aquatic life. The two-month project aims to assess the current health of ecosystems in the Baltic Sea and use the data to establish new protected marine areas. Here, a hermit crab (Pagurus bernhardus) takes a rest on a sea star. Cyanae lamarckii, aptly referred to as the blue jellyfish, floats through the water. This is one of many photos taken during a Baltic Sea expedition led by marine conservation organization Oceana.
An exhibited ferocious criminality, obviously coming sometime now… A peculiar cowardly blindness regularly displayed by the intelligentsia, political class & the Establishment. We live in a society that provides an environment in which children are much more sensitive about their rights, but less about their duties. So they have a very weak base for the values of civil society. A population in general that thinks it is entitled to a high standard of consumption, irrespective of personal efforts & contribution, which when is not received it is regarded as Injustice. The economy has been extremely unkind to many dysfunctional families in recent years Youngsters being less happy and less optimistic about the future don't feel that they belong to civil society. They are also less positive about the virtues — honesty, trustworthiness, courage, justice and others. They have far fewer aspirations for their future compared with other groups. The celebrities, don't show a great example to the young. They have made all this money and have spent it largely as consumers. One often thinks they appear to have no moral compass and young people see this. A planet in confusion. With no signs in sight of an effective leadership-at-the –top. With a growing world population, passing 7 billion by 31Oct11 (as per UN-PFA), in disarray, uncontrollable with uncertainty & in despair. And finally with an Environment in tatters… I am going home……ADIOS (Ed)
Avoiding a Large Phone Bill When Travelling July 27, 2010 By DAVID A. KELLY UBIQUITOUS connectivity has its downside, especially when it comes to the price of using your cellphone abroad. The proliferation of smart phones and the increased use of data have made it easier than ever to rack up huge communications bills while travelling overseas, even on a short trip.
AMAZING Much of life can never be explained but only witnessed NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the Tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong Bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal Facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore. When tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him. 'It is incredible. A-less-than-ayear-old hippo has adopted a Male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to Be very happy with being a 'mother',' ecologist Paula Kahumbu, Who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP. 'After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.
They swim, eat and sleep together,' the ecologist added. 'The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, As if protecting its biological mother,' Kahumbu added. 'The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their Mothers for four years,' he explained. 'Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, But by the moments that take our breath away' This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter Much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures. 'Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together.' Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.
“Many leisure travellers with iPhones are going to Europe, not turning off their data and allowing their apps to continue downloading data,” said Ken Grunski, chief executive of Telestial, a company that provides wireless services for travellers. “U.S. travellers were already getting hammered with expensive voice calls that start at $1 per minute. I know of people that have returned home to $1,000 or more roaming bills.” Luckily for tech-savvy travellers who want to stay in touch, there are ways to avoid spending a small fortune. Here are some options.
BRIDGE
Verizon users have a fairly convenient way to deal with this problem. If you've been a subscriber for six months or longer, Verizon will lend you a global phone free of charge for trips of 21 days or less; the customer pays only the two-day FedEx fee of $9.99. Once you receive the phone, call Verizon to activate it and select an international rate plan (with the $4.99 a month plan, a call from, say, France, will cost 99 cents a minute compared with $1.29 without the plan; texts, which cost 50 cents per message sent and 5 cents per message received, are not included). After the trip, just ship the phone back.
MANAGEMENT
Safe work is North of England’s loss prevention initiative to promote good practice and safe systems of work on board ship. Safe work means that watchkeepers should be competent and properly trained for the tasks to be performed. Safe work means adopting measures that take account of proper risk assessment.
Getting the Right Phone Many countries outside the United States rely on a wireless network technology called GSM. But two major American carriers — Verizon and Sprint — use different technologies in most of their standard phones. Owners of those devices will need a special cellphone when travelling to many countries.
Safe work means watchkeepers should adopt proper bridge team management procedures. Safe work means that watchkeepers should prepare a proper voyage plan and monitor its implementation. Safe work practices will reduce the number of incidents and accidents.
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Another option is to buy an inexpensive travel phone from a company like Telestial (telestial.com) or Planet Omni (planetomni.com). They typically cost less than $50. For example, Planet Omni's Kit V520 ($49) offers a dual-band GSM phone, SIM card with both a United States phone number and a global phone number, and $5 in airtime. The service allows you to receive free incoming calls in France, Italy, Spain and Britain on the global number, and free voice mail in 60 countries. Costs for outgoing calls depend on the country. For example, an outgoing call from France to a United States landline is 99 cents per minute, while a call to a mobile phone is $1.49 per minute. Telestial's Passport package (starting at $99) provides free incoming calls in Europe, as well as calls back to the United States for 49 cents per minute. Data Deals With everything from Internet radio to online maps to multitudes of apps, iPhones and smartphones can consume huge amounts of data. It might not be a big deal at home, but using all those apps on the road can add up quickly. If you plan on using a lot of data services while travelling, make sure you check with the carrier to see if it offers international data roaming plans. For example, AT&T offers data roaming plans for the iPhone and smartphones that provide 20 megabytes of data usage within 90 countries for $24.99 per month, and up to 200 megabytes for $199.99 per month.
In addition, AT&T recommends that iPhone users go to their settings and turn off data roaming and options to fetch new data. They should also reset their usage tracker to zero so they can keep an eye on new charges, and make sure to use Wi-Fi instead of their phones' 3G services to check e-mail messages or use the Web. SIM Cards Frequent travellers may want to consider another money-saving technique: replacing a phone's American SIM card (the little electronic memory card that identifies and configures your phone) with a local (or countryspecific) SIM card. In general, when you do that, all incoming calls will be free and outgoing calls (local or international) can be significantly cheaper. Be aware that replacing the SIM card means that your phone has a different number, so you may want to let your contacts know, or set your phone to forward all calls to the new number before you go. Your phone also has to be unlocked so it can work with other carriers' networks — your cellphone company can provide information on how to do this — and it needs to be compatible with the wireless services in the country you're visiting. “Even with an international roaming package on AT&T, it can cost 99 cents a minute or more for voice calls,” said Philip
Guarino, an international business consultant and founder of Elementi Consulting in Boston. “The moral of the story is, dump your American SIM card and buy a local one instead.” When Mr. Guarino travels he simply buys a SIM card at his destination airport and uses it for cheap local calls. “In a pinch, even if I call directly from my phone using a foreign SIM card, the average direct-dial rates are about 60 cents U.S. per minute, which is cheaper than using my original U.S. SIM,” he said. The VoIP Option Internet-based voice services (VoIP) such as Skype (skype.com) or Truphone (truphone.com), which charge as little as 2 cents for calls to regular phones, are among the cheapest ways for international travellers to communicate. This spring, Skype announced support for the iPhone, allowing iPhone users to make or receive Skype calls over either Wi-Fi or 3G connections. One good option for travellers wanting to use Skype or Wi-Fi while travelling is Boingo Wireless. For $7.95 per month, travellers can sign up with Boingo (boingo.com) for unlimited Wi-Fi access in hotels, restaurants, cafes, airports and more in over 70 countries. Coupled with Skype or a similar VoIP product on an iPhone, smartphone or computer, it's hard to beat the value. Last, but Not Least Don't forget the old-fashioned calling card. When Mr. Guarino travels, he often uses discounted international calling cards from local cafes or newsstands. “The rates to the U.S. are about 3 cents per minute, plus the cost of the local call,” he said. “It's a good option for making a call from a land line, especially if you have a conference call to make where you don't want to worry about call quality.”
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AT&T and T-Mobile have GSM networks, so many of their standard phones will work overseas, although you'll still need to sign up for an international roaming plan to keep rates down. For example, with the $5.99 a month AT&T plan, calls from many Western European countries to the United States are only 99 cents. A package of 50 roaming texts costs $10.
These charges are in addition to whatever your usual monthly charge is in the United States, but the cost pays off if you use a lot of data, especially when you consider that the standard international roaming rates for many Western European countries are about $20 per megabyte (according to Mr. Grunski, of Telestial, some Web pages are half a megabyte, so downloading, say, five pages in a single day could cost you $50 without a plan).
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The wheel that squeaks the loudest is the one that gets the grease. Josh Billings The wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages are perpetuated by quotations. Benjamin Disraeli The wisdom of the wise is an uncommon degree of common sense. Dean Inge The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions. Oliver Wendell Holmes There are three faithful friends an old wife, an old dog, and ready money. Benjamin Franklin There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart. Charles Dickens When the government fears the People, that is Liberty. When the People fear the Government that is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson Layman: 1. Someone who is not trained to a high or professional standard in a particular subject. 2. In layman's terms. In words that someone who is not an expert can understand. What does that mean in layman's terms? 3. The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius. 4. Give no decision till both sides thou'st heard. 5. Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration. 6. It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. 7. Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius. 8. There are some defeats more triumphant than victories. 9. A coward turns away, but a brave man's choice is danger. 10. A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means. 11. To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. 12. What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better.
Empathy and Understanding
Leading for Safety Crown Copyright - www.mcga.gov.uk
5 Practise ‘tough empathy’
Why is it important? Tough empathy is important in order both to convey to your crew that you understand their situation, feelings and motives, and to enable you as a leader to take the right courses of action which take due account of these desires, feelings and concerns whilst focusing on achieving appropriate overall objectives. In a safety context, this is especially important for encouraging compliance with safety rules by the crew.
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The Articles written and the Views expressed in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of CENTROFIN and/or its members. Queries to: wavelength@centrofin.gr Disclaimer. The contents provided herewith are for general information purposes only; not intended to replace or otherwise contradict the detailed instructions/procedures issued by the owners/managers, flag etc. Editor: Cmdr Nicholas A. ILIOPOULOS - Master Mariner - Human Resources Tel. +86.1347.8526 865. Email: ilioship@yahoo.com.sg Comments. This editor welcomes readers' responses to all articles & Editorials. Design-Production: www.paradox.com.gr Tel.+30.210.6560 574
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‘Empathy’ is all about identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives. It requires the capacity to put yourself in another’s place, and the cultivation of good listening skills. Good leaders empathise realistically with employees and care intensely about the work they do – but this doesn’t mean that they always agree with them or join in with concerns and grumbles. Instead they practise ‘tough empathy’, which means giving people what they need, rather than necessarily what they want. Another way of looking at this is ‘care with detachment’. An example is providing staff with safety footwear that is comfortable and safe, rather than spending more money to provide a more ‘fashionable’ style.