 This short film opens the series of training videos developed by The Nautical Institute together with the Lloyd's Register. It is estimated that about eighty percent of all accidents happening at sea are the result of human or, more precise, the operator's errors. Though the operator's error may be immediate cause of the accident, but the root cause if often human influences on the design or operation of the ship's systems. So it is exactly the human factors that need some serious consideration, and in this is what we will concentrate on in the present program. The video is to supplement this Alert publication.
 Alert 11 - Integration - The Human Element Jigsaw. In this issue, we are going to consider the human elements jigsaw...This training film is supplemented with this training booklet. Some of the ship components or systems may be fully automated but they may still require some input from the seafarer - setting tolerances, for example, or responding to alarms.
Other systems require direct seafarer's input for operation and maintenance. Then, there are systems tat require humans to interact with other humans, etc. And, in all these cases seafarers have to interact and work harmoniously with one another. Integrating the human element in this complex system is a dynamic process...
 Suppose the ship was completely automatic - no seafarers required, suppose the engines maintain themselves - no people required, and suppose all the cargo did load and discharge itself - untouched by human hands... Unlikely? Well, of course, it is.
Technology may be playing an increasing role in the running of the vessel, but as we all know, how safely and how efficiently the ship is run, is all about people - and so is this issue of Alert. The plight of some seafarers has already been made international headlight. Badly paid, sometimes not paid at all, poor food and accommodation, working on ships managed by people having little or no regard to health, safety and wellbeing.
The MLC 2006 is described by many as a milestone for the international maritime industry. Often referred to as the "seafarers' bill of rights", it addresses the significant issues pf minimum working age, maximum working hours, along with accommodation, health protection, food and catering, medical care, welfare and also social security matters. The Convention is also addressing the current health concerns, for example the effects of vibration and noise on seafarers, and is intended to apply worldwide, be easily understandable, and easy to update and enforce. This video supplements the Alert 18 issue.
 Issue 6 — Development and Maintenance — Competent People Make the Difference. There is little doubt that technology is revolutionizing the global maritime industry, which means that learning is crucially important.
At sea, we must have competent people; to promote this, we must have high—standard education training.
The problem is that the standards of education vary, and this is what we are going to discuss in this issue of Alert. The booklet on same topic may be used as a supplement.
 Alert 10 - Regulation - For the guidance of wise men and the blind obedience of fools. Wherever we are, we are sourrounded by rules and regulations - of course, rules are for our benefit, they are designed to protect us from danger, stops us from getting hurt, or worse...
In our business, along with regulations, we have got standards, recommendations, conventions all designed to protect us, the machines we use, our systems and the environment. But the accidents at sea still happen - while no one is suggesting the regulations are not important, there is one important question that has to be answered - do rules and regulations take account of the human element?
That is what we will be looking at in this issue of Alert. The video supplements this training booklet addressing same matters.
 Alert 9 - Operations - It is time to stop pretending... Welcome to this issue of Alert, the forum for discussing a whole range of human element issues in the maritime industry. What are the absolutely key issues? The need for ship owners and operators to recognize the needs of the end user, the seafarer, during the design and build stages... Treat this video as the supplement training to the booklet addressing the same topic.
 If you have visited us before, you would know that Alert focuses on the human element in the maritime industry. In this program we are going to consider three of the most important human element issues, namely education, training and career development. When it comes to the recruitment and training of seafarers, ship operators should adopt best industry standards and ensure that seafarers receive the training they need to carry out their duties.
They must also be regularly updated, tested and drilled through various programs. The people involved in the front line of the shipping operations ashore must also be properly trained, adequately experienced, skilled and competent. But then so must be the tutors - it is essential that maritime college lecturers are properly qualified to teach the competencies for which they are employed to teach. They need to have the up-to-date understanding of the new technologies aboard ships and, of course, knowledge of the modern day ship operations. One of the problems today is that a gap sometimes exists between available skill levels and what the ship industry requires from the seafarers, which is why there is a need for the company to step in the training.
Shore-based company training can be provided at in-house institutes and during annual seminars. On-job training can be conducted by auditing and training superintendents who can then ensure that any shore comments can be rectified through education and training. This video supplements the corresponding Alert Issue 20.
 Sorry, I am a bit depressed... I mean our industry, it is all doom and gloom, isn't it?.. Every time you pick up the paper, there is a story about the collision, an oil spill somewhere, pirates... You turn on TV and it seems that every day our seafarers are arrested and thrown into jail. You see what I mean? We could take a different view. The fact is shipping is responsible for over ninety percent of the world's trade.
It's a high-tech industry that opens huge opportunities. Yes, it has its problems, but in this issue of Alert let's go positive. There are some who criticize the state of shipping and life at sea today. We hear comments about over-regulation, too much paperwork and huge number of inspections, and so many other problems in the shipping industry.
And that is quite disappointing - because it is not as if young people do not want to go to sea, but clearly there are some concerns. One survey reveals that, although increasing workloads and paperwork, fatigue and criminalization are viewed as potential career killers, the modern seafarer is looking for greater contact with families and friends, above everything else.
Telephone access, in particular, would seem to be crucial. Voyage length and shore leave are also the factors that are very significant to the seafarers today... This video film supplements the corresponding issue of Alert 19 bulletin.
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