How
to cut Paperwork? - IMO study underway…
The development of a number of
IMO and other Conventions, Codes, Resolutions and Circulars and more
particularly the development of the ISM code, has led to an increasing burden
of paperwork for ship’s officers. Further, with the voluntary implementation of
an integrated ship management system in many companies together with
commercial, trade and industry requirements, the burden of paper work has
increased exponentially.
Documentary evidence for most of
the requirements, hard copies and originals have become pre-requisites for
surveys, inspections and audits which have also increased substantially. In the
earlier years a dedicated officer (Purser) was available to assist with the
paper work. Later, to reduce manning cost, the Purser was withdrawn and then
the Radio Officer shared this burden.
Further, with the advent of GMDSS
and satellite communications, the radio officer has also been withdrawn, so now
the full burden and that too an increased burden is fully on the ship’s
officers.
On account of the foregoing,
ship’s officers are spending far too much time on paper work. This is having a
negative impact on ship operations and maintenance, increasing work load, fatigue,
tension and stress. One would have imagined that with the advent of automation,
computerization and technological advancements, life on board would have
enhanced self- satisfaction for ship’s officers; but it seems that earlier
times were better with less paper work.
The increased paper work load has
already reached alarming proportions and time is not far when an incident may
happen as the ship’s officer was busy with paper work!
It is heartening to know that an
IMO study is underway and that some data has already been collated to consider
the possibility of reducing paper work. Further, in order to take a holistic
view, it would be necessary to also consider reducing paper work in commercial,
trade, industry, company and non-mandatory areas.
We are looking forward to a
positive outcome and hope that paperwork reduces substantially for the overall
benefit of the shipping industry and in particular for the benefit of ship’s
officers.
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