An interesting thing about communication and ships is the secretive nature of information from HQ – headquarters - or the home office to and from the ship. Most of us can easily understand why this would be the case for Naval Vessels. Why has it continued to be a practice for merchant vessels? Some would make the case that this became a practice from WWI and then more so from WWII. Where the ships were heading and when they would be going were key strategic pieces of information. Without a … [Read more...]
How Are Your Language Skills?
“Never judge someone by the way they look or a book by the way it’s covered; For inside those tattered pages, there’s a lot to be discovered” Stephen Cosgrove. How are your language skills? In the United States 75% of the population speaks one language – English. One of the front and center areas for all people at work and in their lives now is diversity and inclusion. Everything begins with the ability to communicate. To accomplish this everyone involved must be open and willing to … [Read more...]
Is Your Communication Open or Guarded?
“Wise people speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something.” Imagine if aboard a ship at sea if the Chief Engineer ran the engine room as a fiefdom. All of the engineers knew not to speak with anyone who are not part of their engine room team about anything going on in the engine room. Unless it was absolutely a safety to the ship and/or the crew issue even the Captain of the ship might not be kept informed about anything going on in the engine … [Read more...]
How Well Do You Communicate?
Think about communication “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw Communication aboard a ship cannot be left to chance. Consider the variety of avenues communication takes place: Communication between the Captain and the crew Communication between the crew members Communication with other ships Communication from a shore side source such as an official from a port being entered or leaving Communication with … [Read more...]
Let’s Get To The Bottom Of This?
There are clearly more areas on any ship to write about and discuss. There is the bow of the ship: Most recently (compared to Maritime History) made its way into the mainstream consciousness by Leonardo DiCaprio in his role in the blockbuster film “Titanic”. There’s the Crow’s Nest: Where just about every cruise ship has their late night lounge located. Up close to the stars in the night sky and a great place to view the sunrise. Of course there is the engine room: The area many people … [Read more...]
Ever Been Involved When It Has Been All Hands On Deck?
Did you ever ask for or been a part of an ‘All Hands On Deck”? So sorry just realized that maybe some aren’t aware of what this even means? Online definition from writingexplained.org: This expression has a naval origin. Hands is another word for sailors and deck is a part of the boat. In a storm or other emergency, the captain might yell all hands on deck. This is a command for all the sailors to come to the deck of the boat to help navigate the storm. And from … [Read more...]
