SEAFARING CAREERS:RAISING THE PROFILE

*A FLAG STATE PERSPECTIVE

Presented By: Rear Admiral Robert C. North

President, North Star Maritime, Inc.

Regulatory Advisor to the Marshall Islands Registry

OVERVIEW – MARSHALL ISLANDS

40 Million GT

1800 Ships – 62% tankers by tonnage

Predominant ownership in United States, Greece, Germany, Norway

Quality Focus

FLEET GROWTH

As of 30 June 2008

SEAFARER DOCUMENTATION GROWTH

As of 30 June 2008

OFFICER CERTIFICATES BY NATIONALITY

As of 30 June 2008

A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE -1966• Jobs were plentiful with opportunity for advancement

• Working and living conditions not as good as today – many old ships

• Manning greater - little automation – but more shore leave

• Pay for mariners was better than pay ashore and the profession was respected

THE DRIVERS - NEGATIVES Criminalization of seafarers

Lack of advancement

Increasing technical complexity of ships and systems requiring more training

Pay along with Living and working conditions

Reduced manning – more work, less socialization, increased fatigue

Maritime security – shore leave, other crew restrictions

THE DRIVERS - POSITIVES

International Maritime Labour Convention

IMO STCW review and revision

Advancement programs

Improved technical training

Shipowner crewing – recognition that retention is a positive

THE “TRAPDOORS” Too much training or simulation as

a substitute for experience

Advancement too rapid

Move toward further reduced manning – more automation

People have to run the ship – not machines and computers as a substitute for common sense and experience

THE MARINERS’ PREDICAMENT?

“The hurry of the times, the loading and discharging

organization of the docks, the use of hoisting machinery which works quickly and will not wait, the cry for prompt despatch, the very size of his ship, stand nowadays between the modern seaman and the thorough knowledge of his craft”. Captain Joseph Conrad in The Mirror of the Sea, 1906

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION, 2006

Marshall Islands is the 181st member of the ILO

Second ILO member to ratify the Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention

Update and consolidation of some 60 previous conventions dating to the 1920’s

The 4th “Pillar”

MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION

Title 1: Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship

Title 2: Conditions of employment

Title 3: Accommodation, recreational facilities, food & catering

Title 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security

Title 5: Compliance and enforcement

“No more favourable treatment”

IMO STCW REVIEW AND REVISION

Comprehensive review of the 1995 Convention and Code underway;

Considering addition of BRM, ERM, ECDIS;

40th Session of STW to consider recommendations of ISWG along with safe manning criteria; and,

Target date of 2010 for adoption of amendments

MARSHALL ISLANDS ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

Registry program begun in India for advancement of ratings with 3 yrs experience to junior officer after requisite training

May be expended to other geographic regions if deemed successful

IMPROVED TECHNICAL TRAINING

New officer and rating training for competency in today’s emerging technology

LNG/LPG/CNG

Radio/electronics

Refrigeration

Emissions reduction

CREWING AND RETENTION

Trained and experienced mariners should be viewed as a valuable asset to any company;

More and more ship owners and managers are recognizing this;

Programs and incentives for retention are growing but more are needed.

THANK YOU

THANK YOU