People first, safety first Safety at Sea April 2012 V Operating a 15-strong fleet of bulk carriers in the handysize- handymax range worldwide, Campbell Shipping Company has already made its mark in the shipping world in a little more than two and a half years. As a young company, it has an opportunity to set the tone for future prospects early and the company motto is clear: "Safety our priority - excellence our commitment". "We are a people-oriented company and all of us are bonded to the 'One Team Campbell' philosophy, whether working at sea or ashore," explained company DPA Rajesh Dhadwal. "We fundamentally believe that all our seafarers, who leave behind their families, should return to them safe and sound, without any injuries, after completion of their tenure - hence we are passionate about safety management." It is little wonder that Campbell Shipping's staff members are avid readers of Safety at Sea magazine. In fact, the company does more than subscribe to the magazine - it makes it part of its safety manage-ment system. Case studies and other Information within Safety at Sea magazine are highlighted in specific bulletins and are then distributed across the fleet via a standard job and work order process as part of the company's in-house electronic system. Each work order is closed only when the information from Safety at Sea is discussed and compliance has been achieved. Well-read and well-prepared One man who is committed to that process is Captain Gaurav Kashyap, master of CS Crystal, a handysize bulk carrier that operates worldwide. Having spent more than 20 years at sea, Kashyap was attracted to his new role by Campbell Shipping's "young, growing fleet and the safety standards laid down". He affirmed that his employer takes a strong stance on safety, enforcing hours of rest, ensuring regular safety rounds by a safety officer, and ensuring that job safety analysis and risk assessments are always carried out. The company has appointed a training superintendent, who is seconded to the fleet to undertake safety train-ing for crews during voyages. Kashyap says that Safety at Sea is read by all 20 crew members on board his vessel. "Safety at Sea keeps me updated regarding safety, security and the latest regulations and mishaps around the globe," the captain enthused. "The latest innovation in shipping is brought to light by Safety at Sea and the case studies are a real help to the staff, who alert all of us out at sea." As a practical example, he pointed to the magazine's November 2011 coverage of a fatal accident on board CMA CGM Christophe Colomb, which influenced the vessel's cautious approach to lifeboat drills. The master of CS Crystal also likes to read the views of his fellow mariners from around the world in the regular 'Your Say' section of the magazine. "It is important to have this magazine on board - some of the case studies and accident reviews are eye-openers!" Kashyap affirmed, adding that "Training News and Regulation Insight help us to stay up-to-date and tackle day-to-day challenges". One of those 'day-to-day challenges' is keeping the ship safe from harm in a world in which piracy has become an increasing threat to mariners and vessels. Campbell Shipping's approach to this situation has been characteristically people-orientated. The company recently produced an in-house documentary called Piracy - a Campbell Ship-ping Perspective to highlight the risk involved in the region and the ways to mitigate that risk by following best practices. "This was actually shot during a real-life passage through the Piracy High Risk area in the Indian Ocean, with ship staff themselves participating in the making of the production," Dhadwal revealed. "We sent out a strong message across the fleet when others saw their colleagues demonstrating excellence in safety management." The approach to managing piracy risks seems to fit with Campbell Shipping's goals - putting people first by putting safety first.