Superyacht Training Group reposted this
Director BZ Maritime Leadership | Co-Founder Superyacht LEADER Network | Former Royal Navy Senior Officer
Having well-trained people will not always prevent incidents and accidents from happening, but if yachts don't have captains and crew with strong professional capabilities, such events are much more likely to happen. Just as importantly, should a serious event occur, which sometimes happens due to circumstances that could not be avoided, then having highly capable crew onboard can make the difference between life and death. An observation I am keen to share is that well-trained means being fully worked up and able to perform in the most challenging circumstances, even those that are unexpected. Having attended a mandatory course some time ago will not 'cut it' and will quickly be found to be inadequate. Importantly, well-trained captains and crew also require a high level of 'Human Capability' (Interpersonal Skills, Leadership & Management, and Teamwork), as these attributes are critical to preventing accidents and having the ability to deal positively with dynamic situations as they evolve. Finally, a lesson I have personal experience of is that when a catastrophe happens at sea, you may find you there is no external help in range to render assistance. The situation is then clear, the team onboard either deals with it effectively, or you sink (literally!). #superyacht #yachting #megayacht #yachtcrew #yachtlife #chiefofficer #sailing #maritime #seafarers #shipmanagement #vessels #superyachts #captain #shipsandshipping #maritimesafety #Captains #ocean #shipsandshipping BZ Maritime Leadership Tracey Santrian Superyacht Training Group
Marine Inspector at U.S. Coast Guard. Bilingual. Security Clearance. Coast Guard Engineer.
This past month has been incredibly challenging for the yacht industry, with far too many casualties that, in my view, could have been prevented. I'm writing this with a deep sense of urgency and passion. For the past five years, I've often been told I'm "too tough on the industry." I've heard countless times, "Other inspectors have allowed this and that." It's never easy to board a vessel with a crew that collectively has over a century of experience and then have to write up a deficiency. I understand the weight of those words—some may face job consequences, and others might take offense, especially when they’ve dedicated their lives to this work. I understand the pride and passion you have for your ship, which is why it can be hard to accept criticism. But please know this: I care deeply. When I step on board, I bring a fresh set of eyes to spot what might have been missed in the rush or stress of the moment. It may seem like a small thing, but as we all know, it's often the small things that escalate into big issues later. My goal isn’t to nitpick—it's to protect the crew, passengers, vessel, and environment from harm. Every time I signed off on a vessel, I'm making a commitment that it’s safe to sail. I take that responsibility with the utmost seriousness, knowing that lives depend on our decisions. This is why I'm firm in my inspections. Just as you are passionate about your ship, I'm equally passionate about your safety. Let’s work together to ensure everyone is safe. I'm here to help—if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. And if I don't have the answer, I promise I'll find it for you. #Safety #Yachts