Sunday, January 31, 2010
RECOGNITION
At age 65 ONLY 2% are FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT
45% are dependent on relatives,
30% are dependent on charity,
23% are still working,
Only 2% are financially independent
To which category would you like to belong when you reach retirement age: the 45%, the 30%, the 23% or the 2%?
People do not plan to fail, they fail to plan. Remember, the best person to take care of you when you get older is the younger person you are now. Plan ahead! Full ahead!
North Korean Test Missiles
The Yonhap news agency cited a military official as saying the area is near a disputed Yellow Sea border with South Korea, the scene of a naval clash last November between the countries.
“The North has banned ships from entering its Yellow Sea zone, and we are watching to see if there are preparations for short-range missile launches,” the official said.
The report comes as the North has signaled its readiness to resume international nuclear disarmament talks.
Source: JAMS LOR NEWS
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Taking Risk is Essential to Success....
"Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first."
~ Frederick B. Wilcox
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Black Box or Black hole?
Patience and resourcefulness, two of the main attributes required of marine accident investigators, are being tested to the limit.
They can handle many things in their line of work – crawling around in dirty and dangerous spaces, extracting information from suspicious or scared seafarers and handling aggressive legal representatives – without complaining too loudly.
One thing, however, that is increasingly causing these quietly determined detectives to make their feelings known is the “black box”, known more prosaically as the voyage data recorder (VDR). When this box of tricks was adopted by shipping from aviation it was seen as an invaluable tool in getting to the bottom of why things had gone wrong – sometimes very badly.
Of course, like many other things, the reality has often proved to be far different from the promise and the black box turns out to be a black hole. Instead of a wealth of data from the ship’s equipment and recordings of what was happening on the bridge at the time, the VDR offers nothing but silence or static.
In the latest example of the frustration no doubt shared by others, including lawyers, German investigators have reported in length and in great technical detail their experience with a malfunctioning VDR on the containership Chicago Express after a fatal accident.
The frustration, as the VDR was put through various diagnostic tests, was heightened when at one point they were falsely lead to believe the black-box data could be retrieved.
Given that this was not the first time they had been, if not thwarted, hampered by VDR failure (they cite four other cases, the most recent being the collision between the containership Hanjin Gothenburg and the bulker Chang Tong in September 2007), it is not surprising they have given vent to their feelings.
Accepting that early teething problems are understandable, they say, “However, after more than five years of technological development and optimisation, we cannot understand how it is possible for a VDR system to fail in terms of both software and hardware to the extent seen here”.
An unsuccessful attempt to rectify the problem with the containership’s VDR before the incident in September 2008 was, the report from the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) says, “an example that evidently even highly trained staff are not always readily familiar with the full functionality of the system on site”.
Somalia Pirates
EU foreign ministers said the union would continue to help stabilise
Somalia by supporting "vital" areas including the security sector and
development. "In this context, the [EU] council agreed to set up a military mission to
contribute to training of Somali security forces," the ministers said in a
statement.
Earlier Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier
Solana, said the training camp would be a "very good contribution" to
tackling Somalia's problems. The training plan is expected to last for roughly a year, and will begin in spring 2010.
Somalia has been gripped by fierce fighting since 2007 and the country has
not had a strong central government since 1991. More than 1.5 million people have been uprooted by the fighting which has claimed nearly 20,000 lives.
Western countries have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to help the
country develop its security forces and help restore order. The rise of Somali pirates in recent years has helped focus international attention on the strife-torn country.
Pirates are currently holding hostage at least 13 ships and more than 230
crew.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Niccolo Machiavelli wrote,
2 HATS
From paper charts to ECDIS
Risks and Possibilities.....
Monday, January 25, 2010
Pirate Attacks On Shipping At Six Year High
January 14 2010, Handy Shipping Guide |
The ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre’s (IMB PRC) annual report on piracy has revealed that their were 406 incidents of piracy and armed robbery on shipping throughout 2009. This is the highest number since 2003. According to the IMB PRC’s figures, some 153 vessels were boarded, 49 vessels were hijacked, 84 attempted attacks and 120 vessels fired upon – compared to 46 ships fired upon in 2008. |
Safety Measures Protect Ship from Piracy
January 22 2010, MarineLink |
Jamaica-flagged M/V Miltiades came under attack and successfully deterred suspected pirates Jan. 17, while transiting approximately 130 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The pirate skiff fired on the M/V with AK-47 rifles. The Miltiades embarked security team fired red flares and the ship took recommended evasive maneuvers to cause the skiff to break off the attack. |
SHIP ACCIDENTS - should have been avoided!.
please see attached video
MAs vs PhDs (Joke of the Day..with moral story)
They all got on the train and the ten MAs took their seats and handed their tickets to the conductor. Meanwhile, the PhDs all piled into a bathroom. When the conductor came by, a single arm reached out and gave him the ticket.
The MAs, feeling enlightened, decided to try the same thing on the way home, so they purchased just one ticket between the ten of them. The PhDs bought no ticket at all. "How are you going to get home?" asked the MAs. "Just watch." replied the PhDs.
When they get on the train, all the MAs piled into a bathroom and nine of PhDs got into another bathroom. The tenth PhD then knocked on the MAs' bathroom door and said "Ticket please." Out came a single arm to hand over the ticket.
The moral of the story? Don't use a technique unless you thoroughly understand the principle... =)
Standing on the edge of the uncertainty….
"When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly." -- Barbara J. Winter
2 Custom Officer's took the HUET in IDESS
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Leadership is everyone's responsibility
At every level and in every kind of job, leaders are the ones who demonstrate that great results can be achieved by working in different ways to overcome natural boundaries. Often operating their comfort zones, these are the people who close the gap between knowing what needs to be done and achieving it.
what is the best risk assessment tool that uses words, letters, or color?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Pirates die following release of VLCC
Why take the RISK?
Mara - Clara Probability
Enough said.
TIRE CHECK….
Warning signs to know an unsafe tire…
Improper inflation doesn’t necessarily mean your tire will look flat. Use a tire pressure gauge instead of relying on visual inspection. Inflate tires according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation (usually in the owner’s manual).
Bumps or bulges are never good on a tire. If you notice a bump or bulge, replace the tire immediately.
Cracks can come with age and can often be a sign of dry rot. Look for a code (usually found on the sidewall of the tire) that indicates when the tire was manufactured.
Low tread depth could cause problems such as skidding.
Uneven wear is most likely caused by improper alignment, meaning your tires will wear faster in certain areas. Get your vehicle aligned and replace tires if necessary.
It is important for all of us to be aware of this risk and be caution at all times.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Life's Simple 7 Measures For Healthy Heart
Life's Simple 7
- Never smoked, or quit more than a year ago.
- Having a BMI (body mass index) of less than 25 kg/m2.
- Exercising at a moderate level for at least 150 minutes, or at an intense level for 75 minutes per week.
- Meeting four to five of the key components of a healthy diet in line with current AHA guidelines.
- Having a total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL.
- Blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg.
- Fasting blood glucose below 100 mg/dL.
Taking the Risk...
Only those who risks are FREE...
MV Spirit of Adventure in the Philippines
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
What to Remember?
It is everyone's duty and your right
to challenge unsafe work
Development of Safety Culture
The ability to implement technology safety is paramount
When a new concept is introducedm as many people want it to fail as wait it to suceed.
Knowing What to doWhen is more effective than doing everything at once.
Overriding a concept will become a disadvantage in the long term
It is more difficult to understand the theories of accident prevention that of the theories of accident causation
PHILIPPINE SHIPPING UPDATES
By: Ruben Del Rosario, President, Del Rosario Pandiphil Inc., January 21, 2010
Supreme Court rejects benefits as seafarer failed to submit to medical examination within three days from repatriation
A seafarer must submit himself to a post employment medical examination by the company designated physician within three working days from repatriation. Under the POEA contract, failure to do so shall result in his forfeiture of the right to claim benefits. Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales dismissed seafarer’s complaint for reporting to the company physician seven months after his repatriation.
In this case, seafarer/petitioner was hired as chief cook for a 3-month contract of employment. While on board the vessel, he felt a throbbing pain in his chest and shortening of breath. Upon completion of his contract, he was repatriated and immediately reported to vessel interests/respondents his condition but that he was never referred to a doctor for consultation. Seven months after, petitioner sought re-employment and during his PEME he was diagnosed with error of refraction, hyperglycemia, cardiac dysrhythmia and atrial fibrillation with rapid value response. He was declared unfit for sea duties and was denied further deployment. Petitioner sought the opinion of a private doctor and was assessed with an Impediment Grade IX and that his illness was work-aggravated. He then filed a complaint for payment of permanent disability benefits, medical reimbursement, sickness allowance, compensatory damages, moral damages, exemplary damages and attorney’s fees.
The Labor Arbiter, the NLRC and the Court of Appeals dismissed seafarer’s complaint. Both the Labor Arbiter and the NLRC discredited seafarer’s allegation that he reported his medical condition to the manning agent.
The Supreme Court denied the petition. The Court ruled that petitioner was repatriated not on account of any illness or injury, but due to completion of contract. The records are bereft of any documentary proof that he had referred his illness to a nurse or doctor in order to avail of proper treatment regarding his condition. But even assuming that petitioner was repatriated for medical reasons, the Court said that petitioner failed to submit himself to the company-designated physician for medical examination within three days from his arrival. Petitioner submitted himself for medical examination to the company-designated physician only seven months after his repatriation following the completion of his employment contract. Thus, failure to comply with this requirement bars the filing of any claim for disability benefits.
Dionisio Musnit vs. Sea Star Shipping Corporation and Sea Star Shipping Corporation, Ltd. ; G.R. No. 182623; First Division; December 4, 2009 ; Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, Ponente.
Supreme Court reiterates 120 day rule in two recent decisions
In Abante vs. KJGS Fleet Management Manila (December 4, 2009) and in Iloreta vs. Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (December 4, 2009), Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales reiterated the 120 day rule in Crystal Shipping that a seafarer is deemed permanently disabled if he is unable to work for more than 120 days.
It both these two cases, Justice Carpio-Morales awarded compensation as seafarer failed to work for more than 120 days. However, the two decisions never discussed the 240 day rule in the Vergara decision.
It is the author’s opinion that the two recent decisions do not alter the Vergara decision as said decision was never discussed in these two recent decisions. The author however reiterates its recommendation that an interim assessment be made by the company physician prior to the expiration of the 120 days as it would appear there are those who are still not familiar or who do not subscribe to the Vergara decision.
Leopoldo Abante vs. KJGS Fleet Management Manila and/or Guy Macapayag, Kristian Gerhard Jebsens Skipsrenderi A/S; G.R. No. 182430; First Division; December 4, 2009; Supreme Vourt Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, Ponente
Joelson Iloreta vs. Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. and Norbulk Shipping U.K. Ltd.; G.R. No. 183908; First Division; December 4, 2009 ; Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, Ponente.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
assessing risk - "safety, health and environment"
T - THINK about where you are and what you are about to do
O - OBSERVE what is going on around you, identify the hazards and assess your risk
P - PLAN your safe way in, the safe way of doing your job and your safe way out
Prolonged TV Viewing Linked To Higher Risk Of Death Even In Regular Exercisers
The study, which appeared online on 11 January in the journal Circulation, is the work of lead author Dr David Dunstan, a researcher at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, and colleagues.
The researchers wrote that studies have been done on television viewing time and health, but these have focused on links with cardiovascular risk, and not risk of death. So for this study they investigated the link between prolonged television viewing time and all-cause, cardiovascular, cancer and non- cardiovascular/non-cancer mortality in Australian adults.
One of the surprising things they found was that even for people who exercised regularly, the risk of death went up the longer they spent in front of the TV: they suggest the problem was the prolonged periods of sitting still.
Apart From Lack Of Exercise, Prolonged Periods Of Sitting Are Harmful
The term "sedentary behavior" has come to mean "taking no exercise" according to doctors from the Karolinska Institute and the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden.
They say it should be more correctly used to describe "muscular inactivity."
Recent research indicates that prolonged periods of sitting and lack of whole body muscular movement are strongly linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and an overall higher risk of death. This is regardless of whether moderate to vigorous exercise is taken.
An Australian study suggested that for every additional hour a woman sits in front of the TV, her risk of metabolic syndrome which is a precursor to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, increases by 26 percent. This is irrespective of how much moderate exercise she does.
Reflections on compliance and safe behaviour
• Diligent performance and compliance with rules starts at the top of an organization and includes training and coaching of officers and crew, leaders as role models, awareness of rules and regulations, verification and follow-up
• Active near miss reporting/safety observation is an effective tool to train the crew at all levels to observe and act on risky conditions. To encourage this, a no-blame culture is important. Positive near miss reporting is also recommended
• Positive antecedents are things that prompt an individual to act safely. This
include signs, displays, tools, equipment, information, and people examples
PERMIT TO WORK SYSTEM
- Authorizing officer retains responsibility for the work until he has either canceled the permit or formally transferred to other.
- Person responsible for carrying out the specified work should countersign the permit to indicate his understanding.
- On completion of the work, that person should notify the responsible officer and get the permit canceled.
Principles of risk management....
• create value.
• be an integral part of organizational processes.
• be part of decision making.
• explicitly address uncertainty.
• be systematic and structured.
• be based on the best available information.
• be tailored.
• take into account human factors.
• be transparent and inclusive.
• be dynamic, iterative and responsive to change.
• be capable of continual improvement and enhancement
NOT ALL RISKS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Not all risks are created equal.Generally, if there is a greater risk, there is a greater potential for reward. And the wisdom goes in the other direction, that there are smaller rewards for smaller risks.
Once you decide what kind of investor you are, what your goals are, and what your comfort level with risk is, then you can decide how much you'll put your money in the way of risk.
risk...
by : Theodore Roosevelt
Monday, January 18, 2010
AMSA Focused Inspection Campaign on container securing equipmen
(FIC).
Items of inspection: Container securing equipment (SOLAS Chapter VI, Regulation 5)
Campaign period: From 1 February to 30 April 2010
The subject of this campaign also includes vessels of less than 500GT.
For the above, please refer to AMSA home page, http://www.amsa.gov.au