Good Communications, Human Relationships, Valuing Diversity

The safe operation of a ship depends upon a chain of command that extends from the captain through deck, engine and steward's departments. The chain of command, in turn, depends upon good communication. Because many shipboard operations are large and complex, requiring the coordinated actions of multiple crewmembers, it is critical that you be capable of understanding orders and of communicating clearly with your crewmates.

The close confines, the challenging conditions and the extended periods aboard ship faced by seamen make it especially important to maintain good human and working relationships. A positive attitude and a smile can be critical elements in maintaining good crew relations. Simple courtesies like a greeting or a thank you make shipboard life more bearable. It's important to practice these social skills during both on‑duty and off‑duty hours.

Promoting good crew relations begins with the examples set by senior officers. It depends on valuing diversity and on the fairness with which everyone is treated. Aboard ship, every crewmember should be treated with respect and dignity, and the onboard workplace must be free from harassment and discrimination. No crewmember can be permitted to engage in verbal, physical, racial or sexual harassment. Because the onboard workplace is comprised of human beings, there is no way to ensure there will never be friction between employees of different genders or different racial and cultural backgrounds. What every vessel operator must guarantee, however, is that if problems arise, there are mechanisms in place to resolve them quickly and fairly.

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