10 mistakes a sailor should never make on board.

Onboard a ship, there are many stressful and critical situations. It is a serious test of both physical and mental strength. But every professional at sea knows that under excessive load, mistakes are inevitable. So how can one avoid work-related problems?

In the shipping industry, a sailor must know what not to do to prevent any professional issues. Here are ten major mistakes a professional sailor should never make onboard.

1. Never execute illegal or inappropriate orders.

Regardless of whether you are a crew member or an officer, there will always be a superior giving you orders from above. To avoid unnecessary problems, ensure that you are familiar with all important maritime conventions and laws, including SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREG, ISPS, STCW, etc.

Never comply with an order that violates all these important documents as it can not only end your career but also land you in jail. If you believe the orders you need to follow are dangerous to the ship or its personnel, clarify this with your seniors before proceeding.

Real incident:

There have been several reports of people pumping out bilges or dumping garbage into the sea under orders from their superiors. Such actions have a high chance of dragging both you and your superior to court or prison.

2. Never hide a problem or mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes, and if not repeated multiple times, they are usually forgiven. If you made a mistake, do not hide it; instead, report it to your superior so the onboard team can take the necessary steps immediately. Hiding mistakes can lead to significant problems or emergencies in the future.

Real incident:

An on-duty engineer ignored a small leak as his watch hours were almost over. The next shift's watchman encountered an accident due to an explosion of the same oil pipe, causing burns to the sailor. Moreover, the ship's engine had to be stopped until the pipe was repaired.

3. Keep accurate records.

In today's shipping industry, documentation has become a top priority for all operators monitoring every ship operation. These records serve as evidence for authorities that the vessel operates according to all international regulations.

They also help in resolving future problems (as documents are used as reference and analytical materials) and most importantly, they are used for processing insurance claims in case of any damage or accident. Therefore, ensure that all records you make in your documents (such as logs) are accurate to avoid any failures in the long run.

Real incident:

Many officers enter incorrect and manipulative readings/entries in the official logbook considered the primary reference material for any operations on ships. This has led to several fatal accidents and emergencies in the past. Moreover, if necessary, these false records can lead to misinterpretation or denial of insurance claims for the sailor in case of damage.

4. Do not ignore alarms; every alarm is an indication that something is wrong.

Different types of alarms (audible and visual) are installed onboard ships to alert crew members about any emergency situation so immediate actions can be taken to address them. Whether an alarm is real or just meant for training purposes, every emergency signal should be taken as a serious situation and acted upon as quickly as possible.

When an emergency alarm is sounded, just act! Sometimes even a slight delay can lead to serious consequences and loss of life.

Real incident:

Once a ship was crossing the Indian Ocean in a region considered pirate-free and safe. Suddenly, a general alarm was sounded. Some crew members thought it was training or some system error with the alarms. The ship was attacked by pirates and those who took the alarm seriously reached the Citadel safely while those who ignored it were taken hostage by pirates.

5. Do not let anyone have access to your cabin.

Your cabin in the accommodation area is your personal space and you are solely responsible for all possessions within it. Never allow anyone (from the ship or outside) to enter your cabin without your consent or presence.

Customs authorities of different countries have their rules regarding transporting certain items into their countries. If an object is found that is prohibited in the country, the ship may be detained or arrested, and you may find yourself imprisoned or prosecuted.

Real incident:

A colleague stored three adult movie CDs in a sailor's room without his knowledge. This was done to hide them from customs of one country or another. When customs came onboard the ship, they checked all cabins and according to laws arrested both the owner of the discs and the sailor who had been found with video materials.

6. Do not be a "carrier."

When heading to or leaving a ship after completing a contract, you may be willing to help your friends. Sometimes you may be asked to carry a parcel and deliver it to his/her family or vice versa. Never carry such items from your crew members or their families without checking the parcel and knowing customs rules of the country you are flying to.

Companies and agents will only be responsible until you enter an airport; after this point, it will be entirely your responsibility. Therefore avoid trouble for yourself and for your company.

Real incident:

A sailor was once detained at Singapore airport for carrying alcohol in a parcel given by one of his crew members. He was fined and also missed his flight due to detention.

7. Never engage in physical violence.

Onboard ships work people from different nationalities, faiths, and worldviews which can sometimes lead to conflicts. Never let an issue become large enough that it leads to physical violence as such behavior could result in suspension from maritime career or even imprisonment in some countries depending on seriousness of issue involved.. Maintaining calmness while working at sea is crucial since any injury out at sea could become dangerous due lack special medical aid facilities available onboard.