Three ships were named top performers in near miss reporting for the second quarter of 2021. Bow Faith, Bow Odyssey and Flumar Brasil were acknowledged for their contributions to the Odfjell safety culture by ensuring that near misses are recorded and addressed. Each vessel is awarded with 100 USD added to their welfare fund.
Captain Geir Kvaal commands the 1997-built Kværner vessel. For the Bow Faith crew, being recognized as a top performer in near miss reporting is a testament to their commitment to safety and improving our safety culture.
“It is important to report near misses so we can reduce the number of accidents and educate both officers and crew to see what can lead to an accident. In every General Safety Meeting, I always tell them to use a minute before they start their jobs to evaluate “What can go wrong here” and discuss the work with others and ask for their opinion about it. I also encourage them to adopt a "look out for each other" attitude on board. Sometimes when I walk around the ship, I stop and talk to the crew engaged in work and ask them what safety evaluation they did before they started the job. At times, that leads us to finding additional safety measures to improve the work site.”
Captain Geir Kvaal, Master
“Any near miss reported on board means there are conditions that can lead to accidents. By reporting near misses, we can identify such conditions and take corrective and preventive actions to avoid serious accidents. Reporting near misses also forces us to have discussions that helps us learn and prevents us from making the same mistakes in the future.”
Alvin Maglajos, Bosun
“The importance of reporting near misses is to discuss and reduce possible accidents. It is also to keep us aware that in our everyday life onboard, accidents are always waiting to happen. It is up to us to never stop looking for ways to deduce accidents.”
Justin Cataluña, Wiper
“Reporting near misses helps us become more aware of potential accidents, and allows us to become more proactive. It is best to practice evaluating things before we act on a certain job, so that we can reduce not only accidents but near misses, too.”
Nathaniel Eleazar, Messboy
The Bow Odyssey crew is as inspired as they are honored about the recognition. Captain Aquilino Perez and his crew are more motivated to step up for safety.
“We are so honored that Bow Odyssey has been recognized as one of the best performing ships in near miss reporting. It is very nice to know that crew efforts here are recognized. This will serve as motivation for us all to exert more effort in improving the safety culture on board.
Quality near miss reporting is an important tool in creating safety awareness on board. It seeks to identify and control hazards which may lead to more serious incidents, and can reduce risk and potential harm to the working crew especially at an extraordinary time like this. For more accurate reporting, crewmembers must always be encouraged to report near misses as soon as they occur, keeping the process simple, clear and timely.”
Captain Aquilino Perez, Master
“Practicing safety is already our culture. Maintaining and improving safety is part of our job. And to be recognized by the company not only makes us proud, but it also inspires us to do an even better job. That is why the top best practice is to always use full and proper personal protective equipment, with integrity and following our company procedures.”
Jethro Van Lazarte, Third Officer
“We are grateful for this recognition and are very happy to know that our hard work is appreciated.
Adherence to safety standards and protocols such as wearing of PPE for safety is of utmost importance. Smart and creative thinking or thinking out of the box is also essential, as this enables us to continue looking for process that can be improved as the environment changes.”
Jose Zaldy Volante, Messman
“We are glad to receive such recognition, because it shows that we are a team worthy of being followed. Recognition isn't about the award or the title; it's about setting a good example for everyone to be inspired and motivated. That in itself can help make safety awareness grow and foster.
I always remember the two "ness" in everything that I do: selflessness and awareness. Being selfless and having compassion for others can create a ripple of camaraderie, with crewmembers having each other's back. When we are aware of ourselves and our surroundings, we enhance our sense of chronic unease for the better, allowing us to identify hazards. Embodying selflessness and awareness can lead to exemplary practices on safety: in oneself, towards other crew, on board the ship, and for the environment.”
Kent BJ Hortillosa, Ordinary Seaman
The Flumar Brasil crew led by Captain Adriano Lima are very grateful for the recognition, as they continue their work in maintaining the standard of service on board.
“Recognition for the work done is the stimulus for the professional life of every worker. Having this work recognized is strength for greater performance in all activities performed and motivation for group work by the entire crew. In this way, reporting near misses strengthens the safety culture among everyone on board and creates a safer and more dynamic way of carrying out all kinds of work in our joint lives during boarding periods.
Always being aware of all the details in onboard practices, showing each crewmember what could happen if the activities were carried out in a less safe way or in another way that could result in a potential risk to personal or equipment safety, can change the point of view of each one and make each individual more critical with their activities.”
Captain Adriano Lima, Master
“The award is an excellent pointer that we are on the right track and inspires us to keep the ship on the top of Odfjell’s fleet when the matter is safety. The good results we have achieved regarding Near Miss Reports is a consequence of a great commitment of all Flumar Brasil’s crewmembers, not only the ones onboard, but also the ones that started this project in the beginning of the quarter. The importance given to spot near misses provides us good resources for the planning of future tasks and covers the blank spaces that can develop to an accident. Such a result would not be possible if all ranks were not involved. Each crewmember is in a privileged position to spot possible situations with potential to become an accident on their tasks, therefore, it is very important to engage and stimulate them to always be aware and report all near misses observed.”
Felipe Augusto de Almeida Camara, Third Officer
“I am very proud of this recognition because all of us are always attentive in all situations in order to identify possible ways of avoiding accidents and preventing damages on the equipment. Every time we are on deck, we are always on the lookout for a near miss; we stop work and tidy up. Afterwards, at the end of the day, we meet and discuss any near misses. If, for example, it is related to PPE, we discuss what could have happened because of the lack of PPE, and the importance of using PPE both for our own personal safety and that of the people around us.”
Juliana Oliveira, Deck Cadet
We are grateful for the recognition, and at the same time more motivated to keep on the right path of ensuring the safety and protection of everyone who works on board. Reporting near misses is important because of the learning it imparts, not only to the rest of the crew in a ship, but to all the other ships in the fleet.”
Roger Lopez, Second Engineer
