WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (SAFETY) GROUP
CNN Omni Hotel, Atlanta, GA
September 29 and 30, 2015
MEETING SUMMARY
Call to Order – Vance Webb, Chairman
The Waterborne Transport Group meeting was called to order at 0800 and chaired by Vance
Webb (Polar Tankers, Inc./ConocoPhillips). The fall meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia
hosted by the National Safety Council. Christine Rybak conducted a safety briefing which
included emergency systems, routes of egress, and logistics. The agenda was reviewed.
Meeting minutes and copies of presentations and shared documents will be issued to members
in attendance.
Introductions
Brief introductions by all present, were conducted. Attendees’ business cards were collected to
be distributed with this meeting summary. There were 18 industry representatives, two ABS
representatives and six additional external presenters.
Business Conduct and Anti-Trust Guidelines
Guidelines were reviewed with those in attendance. The Waterborne Transport Group will often
arrange for presentations to be made by various suppliers and /or engage in discussions about
products available in the marketplace, with the sole objective of promoting safety and education
for the membership. The WTG and its members do not endorse any particular supplier nor do
they exclude any competing supplier from providing the group with information from which each
individual company can make informative decisions. Any reference to pricing and contractual
matters relating to individual customers or suppliers is strictly prohibited.
USCG Initiatives – Supplied by CAPT. Jason Neubauer, Office of Investigations and
Casualty Analysis, Washington
On behalf of Capt. Neubauer, Christine Rybak presented Marine Casualty Enforcement
Overview. The presentation showed marine casualty trends and environmental compliance
referrals, advised of the Investigation National Center of Expertise, shared some results of
USCG criminal enforcement cases, and explained the ECA compliance verification (EPA role vs
USCG Role).
Christine Rybak then presented a USCG Engine Room Ops Safety Alert and a Marshall Islands
MS Advisory supplied by Capt. Neubauer.
ABS MPS Overview Presentation
Katie Aylward and Dr. Brian Craig from Lamar University presented an overview of the Marine
Personal Safety & Maritime Safety Research Initiative. Key points included what and how the
project results are used, and a pending Near Miss Reporting Standard.
ABS Project on Safety Culture & Leading Indicators of Safety
On behalf of Julie Pray, Dr. Craig from Lamar University discussed the use and purpose of a
Safety Culture Survey and how it can be used to uncover leading indicators of safety. Dr. Craig
indicated that approximately 75% of the near misses submitted and recorded thus far were
WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (SAFETY) GROUP
CNN Omni Hotel, Atlanta, GA
September 29 and 30, 2015
“unsafe acts” or “unsafe hazardous conditions.” A sample of the survey was shown along with
how the data is retrieved, compiled and presented. WTG members that actively contribute near
miss and incident reports may access the database.
MoorGuard Fuses – Thomas Fields, Principal
Mr. Fields presented the dangers of snapback and some of the statistics associated with injuries
from snapback. Also discussed was technical details of different types of mooring lines and
their characteristics and how a MoorGuard fuse can prevent snapback. Samples of fuses were
displayed and viewed by meeting participants.
Recognition
Appreciation was extended to Vance and Christine for sponsoring breakfast on Tuesday, to
ABS for bringing a projector on Tuesday, and to Larry Russell for sponsoring breakfast on
Wednesday.
Logistics
Prior to lunch, Vice Chairman Peter Sutton confirmed headcount for dinner and provided
members details regarding location, time and directions to dinner. Attendees were reminded to
see Christine Rybak for meeting fee payment and business card collection.
Lunch Break
NFPA – Larry Russell, Sr. Chemical/Marine Specialist
Mr. Russell explained the different NFPA codes related to the maritime industry.
Also discussed was a hollow structure incident and hollow structure hazards, marine chemist
trainee ship rider program, CTAC LNG Subcommittee, NFPA LNG Fuel Task Group, and how to
submit public input for NFPA codes. Larry also offered to share a link to an OSHA Quick Card
regarding fire watches which will be shared with the group.
Signal Administration – Gunther Hook, Vice President of Safety Resources
Mr. Hook presented workplace injury and illnesses in the maritime industry, and some of the
differences and similarities in OSHA and USCG incidents.
Also discussed were some trends in lost time claims, and the importance of executive level
commitment and employee involvement when it comes to your safety culture.
Falck Safety Services – Thomas Bohme / Anthony Tardo / Lisa Matocha
Mr. Bohme gave an introduction into the Falck Group and their global network.
Mr. Tardo then explained the pending STCW Manila Amendments and the constraints in getting
certified in time by January 1, 2017. The different types of courses and what rating needs which
course was also discussed.
New Business
Chairman Vance Webb handed over the Chair to Peter Sutton and Francis Pelosi was
nominated and voted in as Vice Chairman.
WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (SAFETY) GROUP
CNN Omni Hotel, Atlanta, GA
September 29 and 30, 2015
The organizational chart of the National Safety Council and its sections was discussed with the
meeting participants.
Peter Sutton suggested creating a nationally recognized Sailor Safety Week, which would be an
output of the Waterborne Transport Group. All meeting participants were in favor and ABS
offered to assist with any subject material and/or statistics. A proposed launch date was set for
the next WTG spring meeting.
A WTG member suggested that we consider using a company called “Smart Source” for local
A/V equipment, set-up and break-down while we travel between different cities.
End of Day One; Transition to Owner / Operator Discussions
This concluded the open meeting portion of the WTG Meeting and the end of the first day.
Owners and operators were reminded that the Wednesday session would begin at 8.30am and
conclude at noon. The meeting was adjourned at 5pm.
Group Dinner – Dantanna’s, CNN Omni Center
The group met in a secluded dining area, arranged by Peter Sutton, Chairman.
Owner / Operator Session – Wednesday, September 30, 2015
The Wednesday session was limited to Owners and Operators. Members convened again for a
half day session. The bulk of the morning consisted of round table discussions, sharing of
lessons learned, challenges and best practices, as well as current and emerging maritime
regulatory issues.
Topics Included:
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Explanation of events relating to a fire incident and a flooding of an engine room
Lessons learned from a grounding on a reef
Overcoming complacency
Vendor/Contractor safety
Who has overall control during Master’s handover’s
The pitfalls of prefabricated equipment
Calibration of gas analyzers and enclosed space entry equipment
Absence of rescue boat bridle regulations
Insurance for mariners
Funding for ports
Near misses with Pilots
JSA best practices
How incorrect procurement can cause injuries
Smart watches on tankers
Parting lines
Communication for routine jobs
Incidents on routine tasks compared with high risk jobs
Visible emissions regulations
ECA fuel changeovers
R22 equipment restrictions
WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (SAFETY) GROUP
CNN Omni Hotel, Atlanta, GA
September 29 and 30, 2015
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LOTO
Health & Safety statistics
CSA Vessel awards
Next Meeting
The next WTG Meeting will be held in the spring of 2016. Location TBD. Possible locations
include Quincy, MA, Miami, FL and Jacksonville, FL.
Website
As a reminder, the WTG Website address is as follows:
http://www.nsc.org/join/Pages/division-business-and-industry.aspx?var=mnd
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm.