Thome India Shore Staff visit – Vessel Familiarisation

Visiting a vessel is a one of a kind experience that each and every non seafaring shore staff wishes to engage in. So when, Thome India’s shore staff got their opportunity to visit vessel “Ardmore Calypso”, their enthusiasm piqued to the highest level.

The team began their day by boarding the vessel post clearing all the necessary ISPS security checks. They received a warm welcome from the Capt of the vessel who had a long day of events already planned for them.  The team began their learning experience by observing a Port State inspection in process where they witnessed the captain engaging with the port state inspectors who were conducting an audit. After a brief period they proceeded to the galley. The team was overwhelmed with joy to see a delicious lunch prepared by the Chief Cook all ready to be served to their delight.

Post enjoying their little feast, they headed to the engine room and under the supervision of the Chief Engineer, they observed the daily work antics of the engineers also understanding the operative functionalities of the engines, dial, gauges and other machineries.

The team then joined the Captain again who gave them a short tour of the deck where they saw the deck officers in action with their daily routine work. They also visited the ship’s bridge thereby getting an opportunity to learn on the usage of navigational equipment, charts, ECDIS, radars etc. They also witnessed a discharge operation in process. The discharge operation was seen to be conducted in a very safe and secure environment. The team also got exposed to the seafarers on board and it was stressed by the Captain that every activity onboard was orchestrated by the seafarers onboard. It was also explained that Thome strived hard to provide a decent working and living condition onboard for the seafarers and worked timelessly to ensure safety to them, as well as the ship and its cargo. Thome also accorded top most priority to preservation of the environment thereby endeavouring its best to fulfil the IMO’s objective of achieving safe, secure, efficient and economical sea transport on Clear Ocean. The team also appreciated Thome’s ideology of according priority to the Human Element.  

The entire visit was a very enriching experience as the vessel played the role of a fully functional learning centre. The team came back with a better understanding of life at sea which has helped them to respond better to the seafarers concerns while on-board and ashore.