SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE OF A CHIEF ENGINEER

Success is the achievement of one’s goals, at a higher efficiency i.e. minimum input and maximum output. An organization aims at best returns of its assets. The ship much like an organization is an open system that occurs with and interacts with environment. A voyage turns out to be successful when the chief engineer adopts well chocked out plans to mobilize and utilize the resources both physical and human. One of the most important tasks of the chief engineer is to utilize the vessel assets effectively to avoid delays at port and control cost to enhance voyage contribution.
   To achieve a successful voyage a chief engineer should follow the following:-
A) To achieve trouble free run of machineries he should have and should do:-
1) He should have sound knowledge of operation of machinery
2) Ensuring that maintenance routines are carried out as per PMS
3) Carrying out regular training and familiarization for new joiners and existing staff
4) By recording and analyzing machinery performance on a regular basis
5) By carrying out tests on machinery and ancillary systems to determine their condition. E.g. boiler water tests.
6) By assistance and in co-ordination of shore to carry out system condition analysis.
7) By recording of all maintenance carried out. Records of failures occurred, serves as a ready reference for future staff.
8) By maintaining an effective inventory management system to reduce lead time and ensure good maintenance.
9) By in general maintaining cleanliness to provide for early detection of leaks/ defects.
B) Optimum use of fuel:- To optimize fuel consumption chief engineer should --
1) Run machinery at economical speed
2) Check performance monitoring to record status and trend in fuel consumption
3) By training crew on energy conservation and energy efficiency
4) By regular maintenance of machinery and machinery component to ensure complete combustion of fuel and hence minimize consumption
5) Minimize leakages
6) Use performance monitoring as a means to assess hull condition and suggest cleaning if necessary
7) Carefully operate and monitor the purifier performance to prevent overflows
8) Ensure lubrication of moving parts/ sliding parts to minimize friction
9) Use weather routing
10) Carefully watch fuel trends and record it.
C) Minimizing interpersonal conflict:- to minimize it chief engineer should—
1) It can be resolved by adopting a win – win situation with rewarding outcomes for both parties
2) It can be avoided by providing a healthy working environment, security of employment and by cultivating a conducive atmosphere.
3) Praise and appreciation help minimize conflicts
4) By putting in place mechanism for problems to be brought forth once identified
5) By being friendly and sociable and by developing good relationships with co-workers and colleagues
6) By identifying situations, ideas or people which may be brewing conflict and addressing them.
7) A potential conflict must never be avoided or denied as it is then likely to escalate.
D) Achieving less intervention from shore:-
1) By maintaining optimum communication with shore and restricting communication to daily reports, shore intervention can be minimized.
2) By providing one’s ability during difficult situations, shore authorities can be assured of an individual’s competence and thereby will avoid unnecessary intervention.
3) By being aware of existing rules and regulations and being capable of enforcing the same.
4) Shore intervention can also be minimized by effective concise and complete reporting of all matters and good communication
5) By efficient record keeping and timely reporting such as month end reports dispatched on time
6) By developing a healthy professional relationship with those on shore.