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Basic Ship Visit and Rider Rules
Prepared by
Steven Cook, NOAA GOOS Center
August 14, 2003
(Chairman SOOPIP)
The following guidelines pertain to any person who might have occasion to visit, install, repair or replace equipment, or ride on any Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) participating in any program to collect scientific observations. Most of these guidelines are based upon common sense and respect for those who “live” on the vessel on which you may be visiting. Respect the fact that you are essentially being invited into their home as a guest and, as a guest, you want to be invited back. Our goal within the VOS Program has always been to minimize our shipboard impact as much as possible. These are not “Cruise Ships” or “Research Vessels” and we should always be prepared to take care of and meet our own needs and requirements. There are times, like departing or arriving in port or navigating congested waters that the bridge officers and crew have to concentrate on their own responsibilities and not ours. So, it is a good idea to leave them alone during this time. It is always a good idea to brief the Captain and Chief Engineer prior to departure as to just what your plans are and exactly what you will need from the bridge officer on watch (i.e. date, time and position, etc.).
These guidelines are not just for the novitiate “first timer”, but also for those of us who have often visited or ridden on the same ship many times. It is certainly acceptable and beneficial to be knowledgeable about the ship’s standard operation but don’t become so familiar that you become complacent and forget the basic rules of respect. Always remember that you are a professional involved in the collection of important scientific information and you not only represent yourself, but also your organization (i.e. NOAA).
Every observation that is successfully collected by any VOS is extremely valuable and not to be wasted. After all, that ship will never be in that same location, at that same time, collecting the same observation ever again. What follows is a list of basic guidelines that should be observed.
1- Always make your presence known to the Captain and/or Chief Officer when first boarding the ship.
2- If riding the ship, then learn the ship’s daily watch schedule.
a. Know when meal times and coffee breaks are scheduled and plan your activities accordingly.
b. Be in good health, as this work can be very exhausting and the hours long.
3- Be cognizant of ship customs and protocol.
a. For instance, if people are waiting for the Captain to sit down, then don’t sit down before he does.
b. Wait to be invited or ask permission to enter special places like the bridge, engine room or lounge area.
4- If the officers remove their shoes before entering their lounge area or stateroom, then you too should remove your shoes.
5- Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
a. Ragged shorts, bathing suits or sandals are not appropriate attire.
6- If you are tired, go to your stateroom to rest; don’t sleep in a public space or prop your feet up on any table or desk and “kick back”.
a. If it is necessary to conduct a meeting in your stateroom leave the door open.
7- Clean up your own messes and keep your gear stowed away when not in use.
a. Work areas should be kept tidy so ship’s personnel don’t have to “step over” your equipment or supplies to conduct their own jobs.
8- When there is a lot of activity on the bridge, limit your questions and conversations. A detailed briefing of what you require from the bridge officers conducted prior to departure should minimize confusion and stress.
9- Provide your own tools. Don’t ask to borrow ship’s tools.
10- Use email or telephone whenever possible to keep the ship and management apprised of your schedule and plans.
Some of our participating VOS support
several different scientific projects and, as such, the combined impacts of
those projects become cumulative and can increase the stress on the officers and
crews. It is essential that all projects coordinate their ship support
activities so we don’t break the system and are asked to leave the ship
entirely. There are real-time operational requirements that contribute to
safety at sea issues and there are special scientific projects that support
science. Both can be accommodated but it is incumbent on those of us who meet
and greet these ships that we take the time and effort to accommodate the basic
needs of the mariners who contribute so much to our success.