INTERTANKO Hosts Successful Seafarers Vetting Seminar Philippines

Published Nov 30, 2007 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

Over one thousand seafaring officers (1034 to be precise) attended INTERTANKO’s first ever Seafarers’ Vetting Seminar held this week at NYK-TDG Maritime Academy, in Carmeltown, Canlabung Laguna in The Philippines.

Although INTERTANKO has hosted numerous vetting seminars around the world for many years, this event in The Philippines was unique. It was the first such event arranged specifically for the seafarers themselves, in recognition of the important role they play in the vetting process at the sharp end of inspections. So much was this event taken to heart locally that a bus load of seafarers heading to the seminar was seen covered with flags and with a banner on the bonnet - "INTERTANKO Seafarers Vetting Seminar".

This is part of the bid by INTERTANKO’s Members, Associate Members, Executive Committee and Council to focus on the human element by involving seafarers more, and by providing wider access for seafarers to general training and familiarisation.

The Seminar was chaired by Capt Bob Bishop, CEO of V. Ships and Chairman of INTERTANKO’s Vetting Committee. “Clearly a lot of people are going to want more of this. INTERTANKO has started something which will grow,” he observed.

SIRE Director, David Savage, one of the speakers, commented, “The sight of those 1034 seafarers in the magnificent NYK auditorium will remain with me for some time. It was an extraordinary event and congratulations to INTERTANKO for recognising the need and delivering an interesting programme. OCIMF is delighted to have been involved and we trust that this experience will assist the attendees to better understand the SIRE objectives.”

The keynote address to officers and delegates was given by The Honourable Leandro Mendoza, Minister of Transportation and Communications. The Minister highlighted that the Seminar was a recognition of the importance of the role of the seafarer in our industry and expressed his pleasure at INTERTANKO hosting such an event in The Philippines.

The Seminar aimed to enhance the seafarers' understanding of the vetting inspection system, and provided advice and guidance on how to prepare for an inspection and how to conduct an effective close-out meeting on completion.

The seafarers were also informed of the various vetting feedback systems that INTERTANKO has in place, such as its Terminal Vetting Database and Vetting Inspection Feedback Forms, which recognise the importance of seafarers' opinions and allow the seafarer's voice to be heard.

Attendance at the Seminar was free of charge, it being just one of the many benefits of INTERTANKO membership. Presentations were given by:

Alan Johnson, Tsakos Shipping & Trading (Vice-Chairman INTERTANKO Vetting Committee) "Preparing for the Inspection"

Capt David Savage, SIRE Director - "What the Inspector Looks for and why";

Capt Howard Snaith INTERTANKO Marine Director "Terminal Vetting Database & Vetting Inspection Feedback"

Capt Michael Wilson, Laurin Maritime (America) Inc. (Vice Chairman INTERTANKO Vetting Committee) "The Inspection Close-out Meeting"

Each of the seafarers that participated was issued with an INTERTANKO Vetting Seminar Certificate of Attendance.

INTERTANKO extends its sincere thanks to all the speakers and distinguished guests, to Capt. Bob Bishop for chairing the seminar, to NYK-TDG Maritime Academy for the use of their excellent facilities and kind assistance, and to the seafarers themselves for attending.

Contacts:

Capt Howard Snaith, INTERTANKO's Marine Director +44 20 7977 7015 (mobile +44 775 357 3761) [email protected]

Bill Box, INTERTANKO's Communications and Public Relations Manager +44 20 7977 7023 (mobile +44 774 380 1487) [email protected]