A presentation to the Vancouver Island Branch of the CIMarE March 2012

A presentation to theVancouver Island Branch of the CIMarEMarch 2012

Introduction• About the presenter• Observations of the industry

About Blue Riband• What is Blue Riband• Who we serve• How we serve• Solutions for Clients• Plan for the Future• Licensing Authority• Solutions for Partners• Quality above all

Conclusion • Aims• Benefits to business• Expansion of activities

Open Discussion

Presentation Outline

1992 Heavy Duty Mechanic Certificate, Camosun College 1994 Diesel Marine Mechanic Certificate, Camosun College 1995-1999 Marine Engineering Apprentice

Pacific Marine Training Institute (BCIT Marine Campus)BC Ministry of Transportation and HighwaysMarine Branch (Ian Smart, Director)

A Marine Engineer

Nov 1999 –Transport Canada Fourth Class CertificateCanadian Coast Guard, working as oiler primarily, later as engineer

Sept 2002 – Transport Canada Third Class Certificate April 2003 – Start Disney Cruise Line, 4th Engineer June 2004 – Start Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, 2nd Engineer

A Marine Engineer

Sept 2006 - Work with Coast Guard, Fishing, as engineer March 2007 – Start “steady” work with SMIT, as 1st and Chief Oct 2008 – Start with VShips Canada, on ATB, as Chief

A Marine Engineer

Participating Member of CIMarE since 1998 Married for 10 years, three boys - 6, 4, and 2 Modest house, two practical, 20 year old vehicles Passionate about my work www.dieselduck.net, started in 1999, 36,000+ visits/month

A Marine Engineer

Stimulating work environment Satisfying work Enjoy the camaraderie Pride in being productive Importance in team, ship and overall industry Good pay (now) Good time off (work life balance) No work taken home Travel and adventure, to some extent Steady work, when you can get it

Observations - Benefits

Dysfunctional, antiquated and prohibitive licensing system Job market inconsistent Fragmented policies and enforcement Lack of experienced people / seafarers ashore making decisions Varying standards HR people are lost in the maritime world Most office staff, “owners” are lost in maritime world Lack of training Lack of relevant skills Protection of incompetence Tough career path from get go !

Observations - Issues

Short term thinking Lack of foresight and planning for the future Plenty of money in system, plenty wasted Us versus them, me versus you “Young engineers are ignorant and think they know it all” attitude Old ships – increase workload, environmental footprint Owners unable to compete without cutting corners Dangerous and uncomfortable work environment Inconsistent hiring practices and messages Resistance to change

Observations - Issues

Shortage of qualified, licensed engineers Frustrated workforce Fragmented workforce and varying standards Difficult industry to work in Not appealing or welcoming to new engineers Family unfriendly Leaves the industry, very least, not committed High turnover Unsafe ships Costly in money, time, and safety Expensive for ship operators

Observations - Results

Observations - Results

Blue Riband is a not for profit employee cooperative, focused on quality in the delivery of services to all aspect of sea-going marine engineering.

A hybrid of “best practices” from…

Large shipping enterprise, crewing agency, Union, Transport Canada, Class, International Shipping Industry, Pilots Association, CIMarE, Class, & other professional bodies – Doctors, PEng, Technologist.

Blue Riband is the nautical “award” given to the fastest passenger ship, crossing the Atlantic Ocean. First awarded in 1838.

To be fast, a ship has to be engineered to be technologically superior. The work to achieve the Blue Riband was / is primarily done by the engineers and technologists, sailing and ashore. Holding the Blue Riband demands a great deal of expertise, foresight and dedication.

What’s in a name

Blue Riban

dClient

Regulators

Partners

PartnersInformed, trained and vetted. Quality focused and productive. Willing partner in the success of the client’s enterprise and the cooperative now, and in the future.

Ship Owner / ManagerUn coerced participant in the program. Focused on growing their business model.

Transport Canada, IMO, ClassAn important part in quality control and oversight.

Who we serve

Blue Riban

d

Solutions for Clients

Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

How we serve

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Blue Riban

d


Plan for the

future

Issue License

s

Solutions for

Partners

Quality Control

Specialized workforce that only a professional body can deliver

Quality focused. Internal and competing business interest kept at bay by fact our “product” is singularly focused – high quality human capital.

Long term mentality. Ships are major capital investments, that need competent and steady expertise, to maintain optimal performance from machinery and its personnel.

Strong partners in an enterprise’s success

Blue Riban

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Total Shipboard Engineering Crew SolutionBlue Riband provide Marine Engineering professionals, for their client vessel’s shipboard operational needs.

Benefits to ship operators for this arrangement include...

Consistent, predictable costs and services Skilled and motivated workforce Future engineering supply management and development Reduced bureaucracy and office staff costs Reduced training cost

Blue Riban

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Shore side technical supportBlue Riband provides Marine Engineering professionals for short term shore side technical needs.

For instance

Capital project support Accident investigation Technical procedures development Special training objectives and training facilities Clients have access to strong expertise base, for audits and

assessments of technical processes

Blue Riban

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Current Clients

Canada Steamship Line – Great Lakes bulker BC Ferries – Passenger Ferries Atlantic Towing – Tug and Offshore SMIT Marine Canada - Tugs Oceanex – General Cargo Marine Atlantic – Passenger Ferries Algoma – Great Lakes Bulker and Tankers

Blue Riban

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Clients – BC Ferries

Blue Riband provides all necessary engineering officers for the Spirit of Vancouver Island, at any time. The SOVI is just one vessels under contract.

The officers are familiarized to that class of vessel, and are competent in its systems, on top of having being vetted for regulatory conformity. BC Ferries no longer needs to manage their pay and benefits. They no longer have to recruit engineers, a time consuming and specialized task, or to manage training requirements, required or optional.

They can focus on their customer’s needs, and achieve their business goals, knowing that their capital investments, are well looked after by competent personnel.

Blue Riban

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future

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Partners

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Blue Riban

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Partners

Quality Control

Engineering Cadets are the future, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Young engineer ought to be sailing, and be in position of authority onboard, as soon as competence is achieved and demonstrated.

Engineers must progress through all the ranks at a steady rate.

More experienced engineers, need to be mentors, and focusing on shore side operations, not necessarily sailing.

Ship owners need the expertise to make sound decisions, from experienced seagoing engineers, not MBA and accountants.

A modern Marine Engineering career

Seagoing

• Cadet• Watchkeepin

g Engineer• First

Engineer• Chief

Engineer

Operations

• Technical Superintendent

• Fleet Manager

• Shipyard Management

Class

• Inspectors• Standards development

Regulators

• Policy Maker• International policy administration

• Accident investigation

Blue RibandShip

operators, Training Inst,

Class

TSB, TC, IMO, Training Inst, Blue Riband

Blue Riban

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future

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Partners

Quality Control

We have incentives and legislated motivation for ship operators to provide training berths aboard Canadian fleets

Established working relationships with deep sea companies “Engineering Farming”

Provide oversight and support to training centers and engineering schools

Embrace information sharing

Established mentoring program

Positive outlook on integration of foreign trained engineers – Immigration liaison support

Blue Riban

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Quality Control

Networking with training and licensing authorities world wide

Participating in regulatory input such as IMO Expert Working Groups, Transport Canada (CMAC, etc.), Class, etc.

Annual skills upgrading for Partners

Blue Riband operates its own training center, “one stop shop” with on site accommodations

Active in establishing and disseminating “Best Practices”

Blue Riban

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Blue Riband champions Marine Engineering and seafaring causes

Equitable income tax scheme for Canadian foreign going seafarers

Active recognition of seafarer rights such as Shore Leave, Communication access, etc.

Outreach to seafarer welfare organizations

Industry wide strategic government policies

Active Transport Canada role in regulation enforcement

Support for positive industry initiatives

Blue Riban

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Blue Riban

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Blue Riband is the sole authority delegated by the Government of Canada, Minister of Transport, to examine and certify Marine Engineers across Canada, according to its international obligations and standards.

Blue Riban

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Complete modernizing of Canada engineering examination and licensing system was undertaken, independently verified by Class.

To accepted IMO standards

Consistent with leading seafaring nations

Designed for positive success

Real objectives, not “pie in the sky” ideals

Streamlined for users

Clear and predictable path

Blue Riban

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First Class - Chief Engineer

Second Class – First Engineer

Third Class - Watch Keeping Engineer

Fourth Class – Junior Engineer and Small

Vessels

License Structure

No re-invention of the wheel. Same license structure that is common worldwide, and have all grown accustom to.

Blue Riban

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Assessment of qualifying objectives• Communication Skills• Seatime• Necessary training

Written Exam consisting of Multiple choice, and short written answers

Oral Exam Freeform by two member board

Standardized License Examination ProcessApplicable to all license levels.

Blue Riban

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Blue Ribba

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Tangible benefits for Blue Riband partners

Daily pay rate Day for day, month on

month off rotation Full suite of benefits from a self

funded plan Life insurance Defined contribution retirement

plan Paid travel – door to door Paid training and upgrading Legal protection and license

insurance

Blue Ribba

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Non monetary benefits for Blue Riband partners

Sustainable, family friendly career

Participation in your future Clear career path Vetted ships Change ships without changing

companies Job outlook predictable Surrounded by professional

peers Progressive and positive

atmosphere Decreased anxiety, less stress, Better life quality

Blue Riban

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Who can be a partner• New engineering cadets• Immigrant engineers• Licensed engineers• Naval Engineers• Related Experience

professionals

How to become a Blue Riband Partner

1. Application• Certification Assessment• Experience Assessment• Reference Checks

2. Interview for suitability• English skills• Technology skills• Free form discussion

3. Simulator “Stress Test” for seagoing positions

4. Probationary Period for 6 months

5. Junior Partner for one year6. Full Partner

Blue Riban

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Blue Riban

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Consistent quality is the objective.

Quality means that work is performed in varying conditions, by various people, but results will be consistent and can be planned on.

Having a process to plan and evaluate tasks with efficiencies in mind, but to gauge these against long term goals of sustainability, under the overarching umbrella of safely carrying out tasks.

Predictable results in every action taken.

Fact based decision making principals

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ABC – Above and Beyond Compliance Continuous training and upgrading is

the cornerstone – give people the confidence through education.

Challenging the status quo and inviting innovating ideas.

Testing by pushing people out of their comfort zones where practical (simulator / sandbox).

Strong and inclusive decision making process.

Transparency Active oversight, intrinsically built into

the processes. Third party oversight

Blue Ribba

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future

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Blue Riband is ISO 9001:2008 standards certified.

The purpose is not only in attaining certification to satisfy clients, but to the fundamental commitment of Blue Riband to constant improvements in the delivery of services to our clients, stakeholders and partners.

Decisions

Partner

Partner

PartnerClient

Regulator

Decision making process is open, transparent, and inclusive of the stakeholders.

Three partners minimum involved in procedural, standards setting, and disciplinary decision.

Additional votes is provided to stake holder, such as Transport Canada, Class or other Quality Assurance representative.

Additional votes is provided to clients representative.

Blue Riban

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New Ideas Evaluation Implementation

BRight Idea Program

An internal Blue Riband success program that solicits, analyses, and champions new ideas, brought forth by any Partners, to improve the Quality and Efficiency of Blue Riband.

A group of Partners meet monthly, to discuss new ideas and suggestions, and present course of action on operational implementation.

Blue Riband improves its services, Blue Riband contributing Partner rewarded with cash or other tangible benefit. Success !

To improve the Marine Engineering profession by making it a credible and sustainable career choice from the start of a career.

To modernize licensing standards and remove careers roadblocks.

To get Marine Engineers in control of their profession.

To increase training and match it to actual needs = increase quality

To pool resources from ship operators in order to assure them a reliable supply of trained Marine Engineers, at sea and on shore, licensed to modern worldwide standards, far into the future.

Ultimate aim

Stabilizing affect on the transient tendencies of the workforce Increased supply of experienced technical personal ashore Stabilizing affect on wages at sea and ashore Equalizing of “western” expertise representation at IMO Younger workforce at sea Sustainable career path for technical people Predictable cadet intake, matching more realistic needs rather than

marketer’s predictions Increased technology transfer into Canadian industry from “deep sea”

Benefits to business models

By consequence

More adaption of technology Increased safety and reliability Increased production Decreased environmental footprint Increased export of Canadian expertise Better work / life balance – quality of life Peace and harmony…

Benefits to business models

The goal is to make Blue Riband a model - a standard in itself - exportable to different countries.

Exportable Model

Australia with similar challenges potential adoptee of model, possibly South Africa, Venezuela.

Countries with important maritime needs, but suffering from fractured maritime policies.

More, online…

www.blueriband.ca

Legallese Bureaucracy Cost / Seed money Spearheading organization Maritime community adoption Deck side concern Job of Unions, Government and Companies

Issues with this concept

Unions

Government

Ship Owners

Single biggest issue to concept

NAYSAYERS FEAR OF CHANGE

Selling a Marine Engineering career

Cadet Fourth Engineer

Third Engineer Second First

CCG BC FerriesTeach

Fishing

CSL

SMIT

Deep SeaCCG

ContractorTC

BC Ferries

Oil Sands

BC Ferries

Current reality of Marine Engineering career

Seagoing

• Cadet• Watchkeeping Engineer

Seagoing

• First Engineer• Chief Engineer

Operations & Regulators

• Tech Super• Service Tech• Inspector

Sawmill

New to Cdn

marketTo other

IndustriesNew to Cdn market

New to Cdn

marketNew to

Cdn market

New to Cdn

market

A modern Marine Engineering career

Seagoing

• Cadet• Watchkeepin

g Engineer• First

Engineer• Chief

Engineer

Operations

• Technical Superintendent

• Fleet Manager

• Shipyard Management

Class

• Inspectors• Standards development

Regulators

• Policy Maker• International policy administration

• Accident investigation

Blue RibandShip

operators, Training Inst,

Class

TSB, TC, IMO, Training Inst, Blue Riband

Love beer Are “frugal” Engineers are self

confident people Make do, and adapt easily Work independently Work out of the “limelight” Tenacious and passionate Creative

= Problems

Character of Marine Engineers

Blue Riban

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future

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Partners

Quality Control

Spread the word Interest from community Identify champion organization High level discussion with Transport Canada Investigate interest from Ship-owners Where do Unions stand on this ?

Moving forward

Documents

A presentation to the Vancouver Island Branch of the CIMarE March 2012