|
Report on IMO Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes & Containers (DCS17) Sub-Committee 17-21/9
Report on Development of the Energy Efficient Operation of SHips Training Package 3/9/12.
Introduction
September is a busy month as many returned to London and picked up business after the summer holidays. There were a number of activities at the IMO and other seminars and conferences to attend to raise the profile of IFSMA in the maritime industry.
Once again there have been issues regarding the perception by some people that IFSMA is a trade union. This has to be explained and also that there are trade unions as members, but that the purpose of IFSMA is not only to protect and project the rights of Ship Masters worldwide but also to uphold the international standards of professional competence for seafarers, to ensure safe operational practices, to protect the marine environment and the safety of life and property at sea.
IMO
17 – 21 September 2012. Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) 17th Session. This Sub-Committee was attended by myself and Allan Graveson, Senior National Secretary of Nautilus International. Attached is a copy of my report on this Session.
Executive Council Meeting London 20 – 21 September 2012
The above meeting was attended by the majority of the members and the secretariat.
A report and minutes of the meeting has been recorded and a full agenda has given direction to IFSMA for progressing over the next 6 months.
A number of items were recorded for closing, and others for moving forward.
IFSMA Workshop in Manila Nov 2012
As mentioned in my August Log we have a good number of speakers for the FOCUS DAY, which will be held in Manila on Tuesday, 13 November at the Hotel Sofitel, Philippines Plaza, Manila. This day will cover the ISPS Code, whether it has been successful and the direction the Code is now taking. There will be a feedback session in respect of this FOCUS DAY at the main conference and this has been scheduled for the end of the day just before the conference finishes, so I do expect there to be a large attendance.
Safety4Sea Forum in Athens October 2012
You will see from the August Log that the title of my Paper is ‘The changing role of the Master in shipping today’, which explores the demands being made on Masters especially regarding their exposure to the law.
During my time in Greece I hope to have a meeting with the Greek Ship Masters’ Association regarding the possibility of their Association joining IFSMA at some time.
Marine Electronics & Communications Conference in London in September 2012
This conference took place on the 24th and 25th of this month and the paper presented was well received. In addition, the plenary Q&A was lively and some interesting questions were raised about expertise and retention of personnel.
Riviera Maritime Media who organized the event are keen to work with IFSMA, and this will be explored later in the year at a meeting with their senior management.
In addition, The Secretary General of Intermanager and myself had a meeting and have come to an agreement that both organizations will work more closely together, especially on matters of common interest. We also agreed that there will be topics where we will be at the opposite side to each other. More importantly though is that there will be an open dialogue and support for papers at the IMO etc.
4th Maritime Piracy & Security Summit in London January 2013
You will have noted that IFSMA has been invited and accepted the invitation to speak at this conference, which will be a good opportunity to promote the work that IFSMA carries out. I will report further in due course regarding the theme of the Paper to be presented.
New IMO Training Project
This took place on 3rd September at the IMO.
The main topic centred on the WMU producing a training course for the SEEMP. This is nearly finished and the focus of the day was on how it should be implemented, and the direction to take to ensure that it is disseminated to regional areas to assist in this matter.
There were a couple of NGOs present of which IFSMA was one, but the questions and answers throughout the day raised more questions than were answered. The research was too focused on containerships and that there were a number of shortfalls in the planned syllabus. A copy of my report is attached.
ECDIS Technical Group
The meeting will take place on 9th October in London, and I will be attending. It is hoped that at this meeting delegates will not only discuss the matter of the new IMO Model Course 1.27 but also move forward on the type specific training which is still an unresolved issue.
DVD on Fair Treatment of Seafarers
IFSMA has been approached by Seafarers’ Rights International to be part of the Steering Committee for a forthcoming DVD to be produced by VIDEOTEL. This has been agreed. It is hoped that the first meeting will take place early in November 2012 and the work will be completed by April 2013.
It is expected that all meetings will take place in London.
Irish Institute of Master Mariners
Further to my report in August there is an opportunity for IFSMA through the Institute to forge links with Maritime Ireland and look towards planning a Seminar/Conference in Cork at a future date.
Association Membership
We are anticipating to set up two new Associations in countries that have never before been Association Members, although there are Individual Members from the countries involved. The membership will be very small to start with but it is hoped that this will expand as time goes on.
There was a successful meeting with the Turkish Ocean-going Masters’ Association regarding joining IFSMA. Captain Paul Owen, the Assistant Secretary General, was responsible for this initiative, and a full report was made to the Executive Council Meeting held this month.
Lastly, as I mentioned in the August Log, in October we look forward to seeing members of staff from the Danish Maritime Officers Association here at IFSMA HQ for a meeting, and I reiterate that we will assist if other Associations wish to use the facilities here.
Future reports will expand on the items listed above and new projects as they are formed. It is hoped that in the near future more feedback will be received, so that new projects and matters can be discussed and hopefully progressed.
Captain John W. Dickie
Secretary General IFSMA
|