Let's look at the orientation process.

 

Company policy requires a thorough and specific orientation that is documented by two reports when they first come aboard:

 

The "New Employee Fire Safety Orientation Report", found on HigmanBoats.com, lists topics to be reviewed, instructions on specific emergency actions/testing and fire prevention. 

 

Tankermen Teddy Delrosario and Stacy Thornton check out the Emergency Station Bill on the M/V CUMBERLAND.

A key topic to be reviewed and a good way to start an orientation is a discussion of the Emergency Station Bill.  Each crewman knowing their responsibility and reporting area when the general alarm goes off is critical to a safe operation.  Sit down and discuss responsibilities with a copy of the Emergency Station Bill in hand.  Make sure they understand the significance of the general alarm.  You can have the new crewman review in detail these duties by going to the Higman CBT lesson on Emergency Station Bills . 

    

Also to be covered in this report are the details of the fire fighting system, pumps, fixed CO2 and fire extinguishers.  Where is this equipment located and how is it operated? 

 

The other required report is the "New Employee Security Orientation report".  This report satisfies the requirements of 33CFR 104 which specify training requirements for Vessel Security.  Follow this report closely with the boat's Alternate Secutity Plan.

 

Other items and discussions during your orientation tour of the boat should include:

A tour of the boat with the Orientation Reports in hand will help get your new crewman ready to work safely and to become a valuable member of your boat's team. 

  

In the last couple of months around sunset I have been asked "What star is that?" They point southwest about 30 degrees up from the horizon.  As a celestial navigator I automatically said "Venus".  Venus is the third brightest celestial body, following only the Sun and Moon.  During the next few days Venus, the Moon and possibly Mars and Saturn can be seen in the Western sky just after sunset (www.skyandtelescope.com).

 

Now the immediate reaction of most people that see a bright star in the sky is to assume it's the "North Star".  The North Star, or Polaris, is as the name says, in the North as part of the "Little Dipper" or Ursa Minor.  Polaris normally around 1-2 degrees from due North.  Another interesting fact about Polaris is the altitude is very close to your latitude on earth.  If you are at 30 degrees North, then Polaris should be around 30 degrees from the horizon.  In blue water Polaris is used to find your latitude, using a sextant and a few calculations.

 

If you are interested in finding out what else you are looking at each night the go to:

 

http://www.bisque.com/sid  

 

The fifth part of our engine room series is entitled "Generator Engine Starting Problem".  How do you get a stubborn generator to start.  This Friday Question set looked at the method of troubleshooting starting problems on a genset.  

 

Here are answers to our questions.

  

How did your crew do?