PSSR CHAPTER 2
HUMAN RELATIONS ON BOARD SHIPS
2.1 Interpersonal relationships (IPR)
2.1.1 Interpersonal relationships mean the relationship between different individuals as person. It is not
merely the official or business linkage; it is the human feelings you put into yours daily transactions.
Maintaining good Interpersonal relationships makes the life of all seafarers more comfortable, healthy
and less prone to accidents.
2.1.2 We can build better relationships, thereby making our stay on board ship a pleasing experience by:
Following policies of company.
Understanding & participating in functions of shipboard management.
Having clarity of responsibilities with reference to shipboard functions.
Having a clear understanding of structure and flow of authority.
Realizing importance of understanding needs:
individual needs
ship needs
company needs
social needs
2.1.3 Every individual is different, has rights to have differing opinions. We should respect each other's
individuality, value, culture and purpose of work. At the same time we should keep communications open
with our fellow shipmates to enhance IPR. Shipboard environments demand better IPR from seafarers
during both on-duty and off-duty hours. Methods to improve IPR on board evolved from:
introducing and understanding each other
commitment of senior officers
valuing of individual differences rather than maximizing weakness
fairness in dealing with personnel
true appraisals and reporting
discipline on board
2.2 Team building
A Team consists of group of people having a
common objective or goal to be achieved. Their
actions are directed by their objective. It is a
precondition of a team that the activities of its
constituent members should not be
counterproductive to each other but should be
supporting and unidirectional towards achieving
their targets which is easier to achieve in an
organized team. It is the building block of any
organization. Good team work enhances
productivity, quality and the work environment. It
helps people to analyze and solve operational problems and take advantage of opportunities that could
not have been exploited on the individual basis. In a team the energies of all the constituent members are
utilized in a collective manner and the approach is united which enhance the productivity and result of
the group as a whole.
2.3 TEAM WORKING SKILLS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
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2.3.1 An effective team has four basic elements.
1) GOALS: are the statements of "what" needs to be
accomplished. These must be understood and accepted by
all team members, although a crisis situation is an
exception. A team can prioritize and make necessary
changes from regular duties.
2) ROLES: Role clarity implies knowing exactly what each
members of the team including leader expect of each
other. This requirement defines the "who" of effective
teamwork.
3) PROCEDURES: It refers to the ways, work technique and the norms the team uses for getting the work
done. It contains the acceptable and not- acceptable work procedures. The "how" of team work refers to
how problem are solved, decision are made, conflicts are resolved etc.
2.3.2 Following shall be considered deterrents to effective Team Work:
distortion of aims
inflexible behavior of members
group Ism
status/ego problems
hidden agendas
communication problems
physical/environmental problems
handling of grievances/counselling
2.3.3 The shipping company comprises a number of small mobile industrial units (the ship) which may at
any particular moment be distributed over large distances throughout the world. When making a voyage,
the ship can undergo considerable climatic changes, which may adversely affect personnel. Ships are
operational for 24 hours each day, and the crew must be organized in regulated shift system, such that
the people on board are well rested and fit for duty at all times. The personnel on the ship must be
organized to operate the ship safely and effectively with numerous operations being performed
simultaneously, e.g.
watch keeping at sea and in port (navigation and machinery operation)
cargo operations
maintenance of hull, machinery and equipment
safety checks and drills, emergency actions
repair/dry-docking
stocking provisions, cooking food, housekeeping
communication ship - shore - ship
The crew must be able to operate with a high degree of responsibility and flexibility. This carries
the risk that in a crisis situation the one translator may not be on the scene. Another aspect of
this dangerous practice of employing a single translator is that a rating may shout a warning in a
language not understood by the officer at the scene and vice versa.
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