5,846 research outputs found
Does the oversight model lead to power relations in terms of empowerment or responsibilization?
In public safety oversight authorities are traditionally assumed responsible of safeguarding operation and promoting safety by defining prescriptions and observing that they are complied with. Regulated entities on their side are assumed responsibility for complying. While this compliance-based approach has contributed to current levels of safety, it is increasingly debated that it has limitations in yielding further safety achievements, that it represents a “one-size-fits-all” model regardless of diverse performance and needs in companies, and that its focus on standardization and proceduralization has negative side effects. Furthermore, the focus on means applied may seem off-target compared to focusing directly on safety outcomes achieved. Such arguments underlie contemporary developments into rational data-driven approaches introducing quantifiable safety goals, performance measurements, analysis of data and rational decision-making as basis for improvements. This approach aims at responsibilizing industry for safety outcomes, whereas authorities become responsible for monitoring and intervening whenever analysis of recorded outcome data deems so. A third approach relying on on-site survey interaction focused on concrete observations as offset for dialogue on technical, operational and managerial issues concerning safe operation has been implemented by an Authority in a specific context of passenger ship safety oversight. Taking offset in a maritime context this thesis examines these three approaches with a view to how they lead to distinct power relations in terms of responsibilization and empowerment. Major consequences for oversight effectiveness have also been touched. It is argued that although compliance-based and data-driven approaches apply different means, they rest on similar basic presumptions of linearity, predictability and rational decision making. These ideal perspectives may hold in part, but are not capable of grasping complex dynamics inherent in almost any real life operation. A major consequence is responsibilization of either Authorities or regulated entities beyond their reach. Moreover, both approaches tend to create overfocus on formal acceptance criteria, while unintendedly omitting vigilance on other aspects, dynamics and complexities pertinent to safe operation. Such oversight entails “abandonment” of regulated entities rather than contributing to empowerment. The third approach of on-site dialogue on safe operation seems well suited to yield qualitative insights for understanding local, contextual dynamics influencing promotion or erosion of safety. Due to such insights and exchange of knowledge, the method may serve to empower not only regulated entities, but also authorities. Finally it is argued that all 3 approaches have merit, and that a merger of the methods carries potential for effective and empowering oversight contributing to companies’ efforts to operate safer
SAMUDRA Report No. 65, July 2013
Sticky issues - An update on the recent SSF guidelines, Forced into slavery- New Zealand, Grabbing oceans- MPAs fail to recognize human-rights issues, Getting rights wrong- GPO ignores the voices of SSF people, Smoking kilns- artisan fishers on the map, Depending on mangroves- Vietnam, Statement made at the GDF on work in fishing convention, fishy partnership- proposed GPO, Champion for fishers - Rolf Willman
Development of maritime education and training for ratings in Bangladesh : a proposed path to the next century
This dissertation focuses on the maritime education and training system for ratings in Bangladesh, under the prevailing shipping environment. The paper discusses the present situation and highlights the difficulties being experienced in attempting to upgrade the system particularly in the areas of employment, education and training. The investigation identifies a number of factors inhibiting the development that is needed to overcome the current shortage of qualified ratings. These include a lack of policy initiatives in the promotional field, inadequate appraisal of human resource development in the maritime sector, a lack of administrative and industry support, inadequate legislation, poor training facilities and a shortage of qualified instructors. The project focuses on the vital need for chanqes in the present system in the light of the technological advancements and legal developments taking place in the maritime world. Examination is made of training systems in the U.K., Germany, Australia and Japan, where administrations have been forced to restructure their approach to ratings training to meet the challenges of new technology and economic competition. On the basis of this investigation, the dissertation proposes changes in the current Bangladesh system through the adoption of a multi-skilled training, which would provide flexibility and mobility to Bangladeshi ratings seeking career development at sea as well as in other related industries. It also specifies the need for the continued upgrading of seafarer education. In Conclusion, recommendations are offered as to measures that might be taken to ameliorate some of the problems faced by the declining community of Bangladeshi seafarers
Making the case for Crew-Centered Design (CCD) in merchant shipping
Since 2003, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has emphasised the need to address and integrate ergonomics knowledge in a concerted manner. However, there is little guidance on the application of this knowledge in the design of merchant vessels. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the paper identifies the need for crew-centered design (CCD), highlighting the importance of using concepts derived from Human-Centred Design (HCD) to be able to design work spaces and operational procedures that facilitate the work of the crew on board. Drawing upon results obtained from accident analysis (utilising the Technique for the Retrospective and predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors - TRACEr) and 24 semi-structured interviews, this paper identifies areas in which it could be potentially beneficial to integrate end-users in the design of ships and shipborne operations. This paper further discusses why and how concepts rooted in HCD could be used to improve maritime workspace and interface design, as well as the design of procedures and shipborne operations. However, due to the specifics of the maritime domain, the authors propose that there is the need to expand the HCD perspective, making the design not only fit a single user, but to fit the crew as part of a maritime socio-technical system. The paper discusses that the case for CCD is imperative in the interest of safety, efficiency and even makes economic sense
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Sailing Illicit Voyages: Colonial Smuggling Operations between North America and the West Indies, 1714-1776
This dissertation examines colonial smuggling in the mid-eighteenth century between British North America and the Caribbean from the operational perspective of the captains and crews of the coastwise merchant vessels engaged in that trade. In doing so, this work seeks to recast these particular smuggling mariners as agents of a unique professional maritime skillset, whose expertise created paths for upward mobility in their communities and careers. Returning the mariners’ skills and core occupation to their historical identity refines and corrects arguments about mariners’ perceived attitudes toward the Navigation Acts, smuggling, and the American Revolution. Focusing on operational skills differentiates the coastwise mariners engaged in the trade between British North America and the West Indies trade from trans-oceanic mariners, navy crews and other shoreside maritime professions during this period. The success of the coastwise smuggling trade further situates these smuggling mariners in the eighteenth-century historiography of advances in navigation, ship construction, and rigging design
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