Putting your Ship first

Priorities in the Maritime Environment

"I've got an idea, why don't we knock that wall out, widen the kitchen, move the sink onto an island, add bar seating, and.."

If a general contractor heard the above words, two months would be added to the project and costs would soar by an appropriate percentage, but a vessel designer would, quite literally, need to start over.

Homebuilding is somewhat linear; maritime designs are spiral - with every decision impacting everything before and after.

This spiral echoes through all aspects of maritime culture - including crewing and operating a vessel.

Putting your Ship first -

Humans are not adapted to the marine environment. Without a vessel we would quickly perish on river, lake, sea, or ocean. Therefore our vessel is our first priority. Without her in good health, we are in great peril – all of us: passengers, crew, and self.

Mission is the second priority -

Any vessel you ship aboard has a purpose. You must complete that purpose. Not only is it you duty, it also funds your vessel. If the ship’s mission (her purpose) is to carry passengers, then the wellbeing of the passengers is of great importance, because without them the ship has no purpose, no funding, and you no longer have employment.

Shipmates are a great concern -

Assuming that you are not manning a dinghy, there will be others like yourself tending to the needs of the vessel and her mission. Having a crew implies that the task of operating the vessel cannot be accomplished alone. This implies that a crew is required to complete the vessel’s mission and that those manning her are essential to her existence.

Self -

You… come last. Never forget this.

Now, rotate the wheel one notch-

Self first –

You… You always come first. You are essential to the ship and her mission. You are a shipmate that must be prepared for everything, if not, be completely honest with yourself and call for reliable relief in a timely fashion.

Do your best. The sea doesn’t care about your excuses. It doesn’t listen when you complain about being tired, hungry, or sick.

“The sea lies in wait for the prepared, but actively pursues the unwary,” is the old adage, so see to your training; keep up with your hygiene; be respectful and courteous; work hard, and…

Rotate the wheel one notch-

Shipmates first –

                      … always put your shipmates first. You can’t do this alone. One day, when your back is turned, perhaps when you are sleeping, someone will do as you would for them: a hand will come through the smoke, a voice of warning will sound, and together you will pull through that one thing that you could not have done as individuals.

Treat the person who has your back with the utmost courtesy and respect, while learning to expect a mirror reflection of your behavior. If not, deal with it. This goes all ways: No one talks anyone down – ever. Put a stop to it, right now. Be the best sailor they know - it’s the very least you can do for them, and together you all must…

Rotate the wheel one notch-

Mission first -  

                      … always put the mission first. Why you all are here is of greater importance as to how it is accomplished. There are thousands of ways to accomplish a task, but there is only one task. Don’t ever loose sight of what you are doing. Every question must answered in the context of, “does this action ultimately move us towards accomplishing what we are here to do?”

                      To do this you must never forget to…

Rotate the wheel one notch

                      … always put your ship first.