Take 10: Issue 7
This issue of The Navigator has looked at Bridge Resource Management (BRM). Here are ten points to take away from this issue to bear in mind next time you’re on duty on the bridge
1 Only human
Individuals make mistakes. Through teamwork and effective use of resources, these mistakes can become lessons learned, rather than catastrophes
2 Strength or weakness?
BRM is an essential defence mechanism against the ‘single person error’. It can be a vessel’s greatest strength – or its weakest point
3 Working both ways
The Master is an integral part of the bridge team, but also has a larger role to play to facilitate effective BRM and challenge and response
4 No ‘I’ in ‘TEAM
Both in training and in operation, it is essential to involve all team members. ‘Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember, but involve me and I will understand’
5 Happy talk
Team discussions are essential for learning and refining BRM. Accident and near-miss reports are excellent material for starting a discussion
6 Pilot scheme
Good passage plans are essential for ensuring the bridge team, including the pilot, are focused, share a common understanding and can jointly monitor the voyage
7 Good decisions
Using information technology effectively, and ensuring good teamwork with the equipment, can aid good decisions and avoid mistakes
8 Screen time
The navigator must be able to filter relevant information, use good old-fashioned common sense, and keep in mind the most important screen onboard – the window!
9 Audits matter
Effective and routine navigation audits during passage are essential to ensure that what is learnt ashore is practised onboard
10 Never done
BRM is never ‘over’. It must be part of a continuous improvement process underpinned by mentoring, open discussion and debriefing at the end of the voyage