You're facing a crisis at sea. How crucial is effective communication for Marine Engineers in emergencies?

Communication always remains key factor to resolve all issues . Luckily internet is available on many of the vessels and ships telephone nos ,data cards are used to communicate

It's extremely crucial to communication between engineers, the Marine team, and the captain. along side side with the time factor.

Really crucial for all people working at sea to have effective communication. When you are dealing with critical equipment, which marine engineers often do, it’s got to be a fundamental part of their job.

In emergencies, effective communication can literally be a matter of life and death. Marine Engineers must be able to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely, even in crisis situations. Regular training and drills can help engineers develop strong communication skills, preparing them for crisis?situations at sea.

Communication during crisis at sea should be short, clear and precise. Most importantly it should be repeated by the recipient to confirm exact transfer of information followed by the acceptance by the sender(Yes or OK).

As stated, communication protocols are crucial. To ensure that proper communication occurs during an emergency, standard operations should include the use of a closed loop protocol that standardizes the terminology. This regular usage will make the communications during an emergency second nature.

Absolutely agree. Protocols to be followed and correct maritime terminology to be used -especially in times when there could be more than 2 nationalities onboard

Very true. Using universal terms so that everyone can understand despite their native language is really important. There is the old acronym of KISS ( Keep It Simple Sailor) which is very true and very effective.

As a marine engineer, mastery of universally understood maritime terminology and phrases is essential to avoid confusion and misinterpretation. By using precise language, crew members can execute their duties with confidence, and external assistance can be swiftly and accurately mobilized. In the high-stakes environment of a crisis, adherence to established communication protocols is not just a best practice – it's a matter of safety, efficiency, and potentially, lives.

On the job training to be fully versed in the equipment you have on board and its correct operation is vital. The other training tool used on board, although the term depicts a forced participation is the safety drills. These should be as real as possible and made fun. The roles should be changed as the assigned position may not be what you actually end up doing in a real emergency.

Information exchange is crucial between the Master, bridge and engineering teams to endure actions are taken in a correct and swift manner.

Situational awareness is an important part of the communication loop when it comes to emergencies. Conveying the needs of the bridge team, rather than their wants, will assist the engineering team in determining their priorities and advising what the available capabilities are to the bridge team. It is equally important that the engineering team conveys their needs to the bridge team. The Master and the Chief Engineer can then prioritize the overall needs of the vessel in response to the emergency.

When born on a ship you quickly learn that no one fights your battles for you; survival is your own responsibility. Preparing your crew to handle emergencies. i.e total electrical failures, propulsion failures, rudder failures, and instances when the ship is not under command or under pirate attack etc. Clear communication is critical for making swift, informed decisions during such crises at sea. As a marine engineer, my role involves conveying technical information clearly to the captain and crew, thereby influencing critical decisions that impact the ship's safety. It is imperative that I provide concise and accurate information about the ship's systems' condition to determine the best course of action and facilitate/ Assist the Command.

The flow of information needs to a two way street. Even though the master holds the final decision and responsibility, it is important that they can use the information and knowledge of their team to make informed decisions. As a result the information presented needs to be clear, simple and effective. Asking for a moment to step back, clear the thoughts so you can present the information clearly is nothing to be ashamed of and can actually be a really useful tool to give calmness to the team and the situation

While on the vessel-best is to convey to the Master and fellow seafarers. The Master can convey the required to the other parties . Making good rapport with technical team always works

As a marine engineer or anyone onboard you are often in a foreign country having to relay information to someone who may not have the same level of expertise or language skills as you. It’s a great example of another situation where the acronym of KISS works well. In many cases there is an international standard format of the information needed and how it’s presented. That said there are many cases where the lost in translation situation has resulted in a major incident.