The ocean: An exciting heritage to humanity
This year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates 70 years of improving safety at sea by developing international regulations that are followed by all shipping nations. As you read this piece, maritime nations worldwide are preparing to celebrate the World Maritime Day on 28 September 2018. The theme for this year’s World Maritime Day is: “IMO 70: Our Heritage- Better shipping for a Better Future”. Maritime heritage is a way to connect humanity to the ocean, not just those living along the coast. And understanding Nigeria’s maritime heritage helps us discover the history of our country.
Nigeria’s vibrant maritime heritage is reflected in buildings, customs, traditions, and folklore around the coasts. These aspects of our maritime heritage are however, not sufficiently documented or appreciated. The archeological and historical significance of these features, their cultural tourism value should be more widely promoted by preparing an inventory and better descriptions of maritime heritage buildings and structures associated with coastal life. These buildings and structures include harbors, ships, piers not administered by harbor boards or companies, encouraging and facilitating collections of folklore and stories associated with maritime vernacular structures and artifacts at state levels.
Coastal landscapes, beaches, and other amenities attract a large number of visitors from home and abroad and are therefore of immense value to tourism and coastal economies. Nevertheless, coastal heritage features are threatened by unfettered developments, and climate change. The planning management of coastal tourism warrants far greater priority and would benefit further from the following: Increased coordination among tourism development agencies, local authorities, and other agencies; evaluating the potential of maritime heritage as a recreational or tourism resource. For example, valuation of beaches and other recreational amenities, assessing the cultural and economic benefits of traditional and classic boat rallies, etcetera; and assessing the impacts of recreational and tourism activities on maritime heritage across the country.
Over the years, emphasis has always been on better shipping with the ultimate objective of creating a better future. So, efforts are made globally to ensure that modern shipping conforms to the highest standards, and it is the safest, cleanest and most efficient way to transport cargoes around the world.
Since the establishment of the IMO, the shipping industry has had a fairly good safety record. It is true that safer shipping demands a safety culture because maritime incidents are potentially catastrophic. The high rate of fatal injuries in shipping is caused by organizational accidents and maritime disasters. Marine accidents can be expensive in terms of human lives and the cost incurred from claims due to damage and pollution to the marine environment. Marine accidents and unintended pollution at sea do not just occur but are products of several factors. Therefore, the sustenance of safety in the shipping industry requires human resources committed to observing safety procedures.
Maritime safety is concerned with the protection of ships, safety of lives and the environment, and this has been achieved through the promulgation of international laws. Increased productivity will not engender safety at the ports unless port workers’ safety culture is deep-rooted in excellence. A ship is not automatically safe as one may think unless those working onboard at all levels would have to create safety through practice at all times. The priorities and preferences expressed by people through safety practice may be a logical reproduction of what the ship owners find to be important. Maritime safety involves the aversion of human losses and injuries, the preservation of marine and coastal environment, and the protection of vessels and their cargoes.
The human factor is a complex multi-dimensional issue that affects maritime safety and marine environmental protection. It involves the entire spectrum of human activities performed by those operating in the maritime industry (ships’ crew, shore-based staff, regulatory bodies, recognized organizations, shipyards, legislators, and other relevant parties,). These are institutions and individuals that need to cooperate in order to address human element issues effectively. Data concerning marine accidents and incidents have always been generated and investigated by agencies appointed by governments in coastal states. These are nations where accidents have occurred or by countries flagging such vessels.
An analysis of port accidents from the beginning of the twentieth century contained in the Major Incident Data Service revealed a rise in the number of incidents in the maritime domain. Historical analysis of accidents in seaports shows that human factors were responsible for 16 percent of all port accidents. While the remaining 84 percent of port accidents were caused by other unstated error-producing conditions. One factor dominates the majority of maritime accidents and that is human error.
Many developed nations have taken steps to provide certain margins of safety in the marine industry through deliberate government policies. This helps to increase productivity and also enhance overall capacity. The use of sophisticated cranes and other devices to handle cargo coupled with an assembly of individuals with skills, competencies, and knowledge influences productivity and safety. The gifted human resource hypothesis is only valid in terms of productivity when most Nigerians operating in the nation’s marine industry are educated and possess skills necessary to enhance safety.
It is to be stressed, however, that safety margin is not free of cost as most developing nations consider it inappropriate and economically unprofitable to invest in such additional capacity when resources are scarce. Experience has shown that shipping companies within or outside Nigeria with high levels of safety report low accident figures, low replacement rates for crews, fewer crew absences, and high productivity. The best-in-class shipping companies are therefore the safest and most productive.Nigeria must ensure that shipping within our coastal waters conforms to the highest standards. And in line with best traditions, this writer wishes all seafarers fair wind and following seas as they celebrate the 2018 World Maritime Day.
MA JOHNSON