While the voting procedure for the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards is open, Christopher Papachastas, Managing Director of Poseidon Marine Supplies, talks about ‘Total Care’ programme for which the company has been shortlisted for the ‘Initiative’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. After 3 years of implementation, the feedback received is positive, confirming a change in the mentality of the crew onboard the vessels that have entered the program, Mr. Papachastas explains. Concluding, he highlights, overall shipping needs to change its way of thinking, and such initiatives can help to move forward and embrace safety mentality.
SAFETY4SEA: Your organization has been shortlisted for the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards in the ‘Initiative’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. What is the background and the key drivers behind this nomination/shortlisting?
Christopher Papachastas: POSEIDON Marine Supplies is a company with a history of 42 years and a mentality to constantly improve the work and the life of people employed in the shipping industry. More specifically, ‘Total Care’ program, which is shortlisted for the initiative award, is an innovative idea developed under the scope to make the life of seafarers easier and safer with high quality services and training and cost effective for the maritime companies.
‘Total Care’ is a 3 or 6-year leasing program for gas detection devices including their relevant spare parts supported by authorized training for safe handling of the devices. Even though there are several programs similar to ‘Total Care’, until now it is the only certified by a Class Society, more specific TUV, offering official training sessions accredited by the German maker Draeger, the leader in personal safety equipment.
After 3 years of successful implementation of Total Care in the shipping industry more than 40 companies and 600 vessels have entered the program, while more than 700 persons have been trained onboard and ashore for the safe operation of the devices.
S4S: How has your initiative influenced industry’s landscape? What are the key areas of attention?
Chr.P.: Investigations into the circumstances of casualties from dangerous gases that have occurred have shown that accidents on board ships are in most cases caused by an insufficient knowledge of, or disregard for, the need to take precautions.
In order to eliminate that, ‘Total Care’ program focuses on two main points:
-Latest technology gas detection devices for the entire fleet of a maritime company. Having the same equipment throughout the fleet means advanced familiarity with the devices therefore enhanced safety.
-Technical knowledge on safe handling of the devices that can save your life. Accredited official training by the maker means that seafarers are trained not just to be able to calibrate and handle the gas detectors but also introduced to basic principles of chemistry and potential dangers, ways to react and avoid accidents.
Our clients in the maritime industry confirm that they have noticed a great change in the mentality of their crew about safety onboard and peace of mind for the operators in the office, as ‘Total Care’ also offers monitoring, alerts, and troubleshooting on a 24/7 basis.
S4S: Do you have any new projects on the pipeline and/or plans, related with your safety performance that you would like to share with the industry?
Chr.P.: ‘Total Care’ is a program developed initially to cover a fleet’s needs regarding gas detection devices. However, it is a fully customizable solution going to be applied in land industry as well. Another project that we will shortly apply is the Confined Space Entry (CSE) training, via a specially designed trailer truck of Draeger able to reproduce numerable combination of exercises according to clients’ real scenario needs, and offer practically actual simulation of entrance to a dangerous confined space, such as ballast tanks, ship holds, manholes etc.
S4S: If you could change one thing about the shipping industry, what would it be and why?
Chr.P.: Mentality within the shipping industry for the understanding of safety and correct application on board. If we want to change the way of acting, we have to change first the way of thinking.
S4S: What is your key message for enhancing safety culture ashore and onboard?
Chr.P.: Know the risks, find your solutions, embrace safety mentality. We are here to help you find a solution suitable for you.
You may cast your vote for Poseidon Marine Supplies ‘Total Care’ programme at 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards dedicated webpage till 7th of September 2018!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
Very interesting interview