We have already established that to be an Odfjell'er means to be a professional with world-class ambitions and high regard for safety. But to be an Odfjell'er also means to help ensure that we all work in a drug-free environment. A drug-free company, like a safe ship, is everyone’s responsibility.
If any colleague of ours ever decide to take illegal drugs, they are not just risking their own safety, but also everyone else's. Their behavior under the influence of an intoxicating substance can cause injury not only to themselves but also to those who work with them, and to the entire crew even. Decisions made while high on drugs can put everyone's life on danger.
The mere presence of illegal substances on board jeopardizes everyone's security, too. The consequences can range from a detained ship to legal repercussions for the company. A pack of marijuana can go a long way and put the entire crew's job on the line.
Given the risks posed by illegal drugs to the vessel’s safety and everyone’s security, it is therefore imperative for every crewmember to look after each other. It is not enough for a crewmember to be drug-free; it is important that he or she sees to it that no-one on board is using any type of recreational drug. Caring for our colleagues is tantamount to caring for ourselves.
The Shipowners’ Club, in a booklet released October of last year, enumerates possible signs of drug abuse among the crew, such as: sudden unexplained mood changes, abnormal changes in concentration, poor job performance and timekeeping, loss of interest in the job, and deterioration of relationships with fellow crew. While these indicators can be helpful in identifying – and thus, ending – dangerous practices on board, it will be more beneficial for everyone to be proactive and prevent drug use before it happens.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), limited social interactions, tough working conditions and irregular working hours can make seafarers vulnerable to the use of illegal substances. And while there are other factors that affect seafarers individually, one fact remains: Everyone on board is susceptible. Must we wait then, until we see someone exhibit signs of illegal drug dependency before we take action?
One of Odfjell’s four core values is being proactive. We define proactive as being able to assess risk and give highest priority to safety, and as being able to take proper precautions and share knowledge.
Being proactive is taking notice when fatigue or homesickness get the better of your fellow crewmember so that they are on the brink of doing things the usually wouldn’t do, like drugs. It is reaching out to your subordinates when you observe that they get indifferent to their performance on board. It is taking time to listen when your superior suddenly opens up about any personal problems.
A drug-free Odfjell is the sum of our collective efforts: the policies adopted by the Management, the programs carried out from the shore, the execution of these on board, and each of our individual actions.
Stay clean. Stay safe. Take care.
