IFSMA Monthly Logs

Introduction

As anticipated this month has carried on the momentum from the previous month and a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to progress certain topics of interest for IFSMA.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words of welcome to the post of Secretary General and offers of assistance.  These are gratefully received and should there be a time where I need assistance I will request it of you.

A number of items have been very time consuming without there being a particular result to show for it but this is normal and mention of such topics is to make the membership of forthcoming events that IFSMA will be attending and should they have comments or expertise on the subject matter there contributions will be most welcome.

IMO

2 –6 July – Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV) (58th Session)

This meeting was held over the week and the Agenda had a number of issues to address which included traffic separation schemes.  There were issues that were not resolved and returned to MSC.  The important one of these was SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 22 Bridge Visibility Issues.

The IFSMA Desk had Christer Lindvall (President) John Dickie (Secretary General) Hans Sande (Vice President) and Allan Graveson (Nautilus International) in attendance throughout the week.

IFSMA Workshop in Manila Nov 2012

Works continues on this project, with the Agenda for the day’s workshop being completed and the list of nominated  speakers, their presentation title and bullet points completed.

Continued work of coordinating the event and dealing with INFORMA (Kathryn Barnard) on the matter of who should be doing what have continued.  A number of issues have been resolved and the workshop which has now been designated as an INTERACTIVE FOCUS DAY will proceed.

In support of this event, I had a meeting with the Reverend Canon Ken Peters Director of Justice and Welfare for The Mission to Seafarers to discuss his participation.  This had been brought to my attention by Vice President Koichi Akatsuka.

Presentation to SRI Interns at ITF House London

I accepted an invitation to speak to a group of Interns at ITF House on the subject of the shipping industry and the role of the Master in the maritime industry.  All attending delegates had either completed or were completing their Masters Degree in Law.  None of them had any work experience and were looking to find work in shipping.  An interesting group of young people who engaged in an extended question and answer session.  Once again none of them had heard of IFSMA and what its function is.  Hopefully this has changed.

Safety4Sea Forum at Athens in October 2012

This is a well attended forum which normally attracts about 450 delegates representing about 300 companies.  I will be speaking and also sitting on a plenary which runs during each session of the Forum. As well as attending and speaking it is hoped to have a meeting with the Greek ShipMasters Union about possible ways ahead to joining IFSMA.

Marine Electronics & Communications Conference at London in September 2012

IFSMA has been invited to attend and speak at this conference and also join the panel for Q&A sessions.

This should be an interesting session as part of the content is in respect of ECDIS and a chance to listen to and talk with experts and their views on this important topic for the maritime industry.  Reports and updates will be made as this matter progresses.

4th Maritime Piracy & Security Summit at London in January 2013

IFSMA has been invited and accepted the invitation to speak at this conference.  This is the second year of participation, but the first year for IFSMA.  Once again this is an important summit to ensure that IFSMA is known and the work that we do.

Reports and updates will be made as this matter progresses.

New IMO Training Project

IFSMA has been invited to join and has accepted to be part of the IMO / WMU “Energy Efficient Ship Operation Training Course Project”.  The first meeting will be on 3rd September at the IMO in London.  Reports and updates will be made as this matter progresses.

ECDIS Technical Group

The next meeting for this group is in October in London.  IFSMA will be attending.  Reports and updates will be made as this matter progresses.

There have been a few minor correspondences made including discussions on the new IMO Model Course 1.27.  Type specific training is still a major unresolved issue.

HQ Renovation

The London office at Lambeth Road is currently going through a renovation of materials, stocks, furniture and use of space.  This phase has and will not incur any cost.  Paul Owen and Roberta Howlett have been working with me and together we have inspected and reviewed materials and disposed of what is not needed or has become obsolete.  There is also an ongoing reduction in furniture and shelving to free up space in the office so that visitors will be more welcome and seating available.

Progress will be reported and this phase of the project will hopefully be completed by the end of this year. But this will not be the completion of this project. The end product will be a low cost 21st century office that befits an organization such as IFSMA.

In addition a full review of outgoing expenditure is being carried out and potential options investigated.

This monthly report is not about me, it is about IFSMA and what we are trying to achieve and the direction that is being taken.  Constructive criticism is welcomed from members and even comments in respect of certain topics that the membership believes should be investigated and that IFSMA becomes involved in.

Captain John W. Dickie
Secretary General IFSMA