A new article “Optimizing Manning and Machinery” has been published by Alert, the Nautical Institute’s project website sponsored by Lloyd’s Register EMEA to improve the awareness of the human element in the maritime industry. The term ‘Optimising’ can have a different meaning to various sections of the industry. This paper dispels the myths that optimising means crew reductions or increased mechanisation, by highlighting the critical mass of crew size, inadequate statistics, task analysis and accelerated losses due to technology and misuse. Several adverse affects of crew reductions and increased automation are outlined; while parallels with airlines, past reductions and unmanned ships are rejected.

Machines remain to be just one of the means and that too with a human interface. Attending to human issues, using ergonomics in designing and adaptation to systems can help achieve optimisation. It is then, that the aim of optimising – greater efficiency, safety, welfare, quality and modernisation will be achieved – all leading to sustained profits. By listing the essentials of efficient maritime transport it proves manning as a cost effective option. Optimisation is all about training in the right areas in the right way both for the ship staff and the shore team. The power of the mind and spirit needs to be harnessed. The current phase of peak profits is the time to focus on the Man.