We are pleased to host an interview with Commander Norm Witt, who has served as the Vice President of Port State Control Affairs at the Liberian Registry since August. In this role, Norm is responsible for coordinating and fostering professional relationships with various Port State Control (PSC) entities, including the USCG, to better support the Registry’s clients.
He discusses his top priorities for enhancing maritime safety, emphasizing that safety performance is an area that continually requires improvement. While acknowledging that new technologies can enhance safety and efficiency, Norm advises never to forget ‘the basics.’ Many innovations may come, but nothing can replace training, watchstanding, and effectively supervised and well-resourced maintenance programs.
SAFETY4SEA: What are your key priorities on the agenda taking the helm as VP of PSC Affairs at The Liberian Registry?
Norm Witt: Over the past few years, the Liberian Registry has invested considerable resources and energy in developing a robust Flag Inspection program and in building solid relationships with the various Port State Control authorities. My major priorities revolve around ensuring that we continue to improve in those important focus areas. We are working on some exciting initiatives with our workforce of Flag State inspectors. We recently fielded new training modules and processes, and we have more in the pipeline. We are also developing an inspector application for use in the field. We are confident these efforts will continue to advance the proficiency and consistency of our skilled inspectors, which, in turn, will assist our ships in attaining and maintaining regulatory compliance. It is also important that we, as Flag Administration, maintain close contact and constructive communications with the various PSC authorities. Whether discussing a specific inspection on a particular ship, or discussing more strategic initiatives, open communication between the Administration and PSC authorities ensures that we are able to pass timely and accurate information to the fleet, which also facilitates compliance while minimizing delays. In continuing to advance our Flag Inspection program and continuing to build our relationships with all PSC authorities, we will continue to elevate compliance throughout the fleet, which enhances safety while minimizing delays.
S4S: What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing the global shipping industry from your perspective?
N.W.: Focusing on safety for this question, I think one of the greatest challenges for the shipping industry is ever-shortening port calls. Especially for containerized cargo and ships, the speed and efficiency of cargo operations continue to improve, resulting in shorter and shorter port calls. This can create significant challenges for both crew rest and maintenance, both of which can have a direct impact on safety. We encourage all leaders across the fleet to dedicate resources and energy to ensuring the safety management system is robust and effective at the company and vessel levels.
S4S: Are you satisfied with the industry’s safety performance so far? In your view, how can we go the extra mile to witness actual improvements across a zero-accident maritime industry?
N.W.: I don’t believe safety performance is an area where we should ever be “satisfied” – there is always room for improvement. While there are certainly technological advancements that can enhance safety, and efficiency for that matter, oftentimes a focus on and commitment to “the basics” can yield impressive results. Thorough training of crews, solid watchstanding, and effectively supervised/resourced maintenance programs are all time-tested and well-proven elements of strong safety programs.
S4S: What role do you see technology playing in enhancing maritime safety and regulatory compliance in the coming years?
N.W.: There are tremendous opportunities to leverage new and emerging technologies in advancing maritime safety and regulatory compliance – imagination might be the most significant limitation to this! Virtual reality technology is currently being utilized in training applications, and I think that will continue to evolve – improving the quality and realism of training, while also reducing costs. The uses and applications of autonomous devices continue to grow. This technology already allows operators to use autonomous devices to complete tasks which had previously required direct human contact; in many cases this reduces, or eliminates, the need for humans to enter hazardous conditions. As the availability of this technology increases, and associated costs decrease, we will continue to see more applications. Finally, I expect applications utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) will expand rapidly in coming years. As an example, I think AI could be incorporated into maintenance management systems to enhance diagnostic and predictive efforts.
S4S: What key lessons have you learned during your time in the industry, and what advice would you give to other professionals?
N.W.: Thinking of an earlier question, I would emphasize the importance of maintaining a focus on “the basics.” While advances in technology and innovations are critical to the progress and success of companies and industries, there remains an important role for “the basics.” A commitment to the training and development of crews and staff, an emphasis on solid and professional watchstanding, and an effectively supervised and resourced maintenance program are all vitally important components of a successful maritime operation. Additionally, I would emphasize the importance of relationships. Having some previous experience in emergency response, I know operations do not always go as planned (or desired). When the time comes for difficult discussions and decisions, it is always preferable to have those discussions within the framework of an existing relationship. Investing time to build relationships on the front end is a wise and worthwhile investment.
S4S: If you could change one thing across the industry from your perspective, what this would be and why?
N.W.: In a previous question, I mentioned the challenges that ever-shortening port calls create for proper maintenance and crew rest. I think a natural inclination would be to want to change this challenging operational tempo, to allow vessels longer periods in port; however, I think that would be ignoring the commercial realities of the situation. Increasing efficiencies in cargo handling and the supply chain can create a competitive advantage and therefore will remain a priority. The industry as a whole, and companies in specific, must accept this, while renewing commitments to safety, including proper maintenance and crew rest standards. While technology has proven effective in some areas in reducing staffing requirements, it should also be understood that an accelerated operational tempo might increase resource needs in some areas.
The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
