Who's navigating? Keeping everybody in the loop

01 Feb 2015 The Navigator

Third Officer Jonas Wiesand talks about his experiences working in the yachting sector and discusses the importance of knowing how to ask for information - and communicate it correctly

Name: Jonas Wiesand
Current position: Third officer
Education: Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Cadetship: Pacific International Lines
Previous positions: Deckhand

What is your background?
I completed my cadetship onboard Pacific International Lines container ships with Anglo Eastern at Fleetwood Nautical Campus in Blackpool, England. Before that, I was sailing as a deckhand. I’m currently third officer on a large private motor-yacht.

What made you interested in a career at sea?
I’ve always had a healthy appetite for sailing and outdoor pursuits. I saw a flyer advertising the basic STCW course, offering the possibility to work on superyachts as a deckhand thereafter. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the sunshine and the money that appealed to me at first, but along the way, I discovered a passion for being at sea.

What do you particularly enjoy about your work?
I enjoy the constantly changing environment and thrive on the different challenges that present themselves to me on a daily basis. The responsibility of being the officer of the watch, and all that entails, is incredibly rewarding too.

What advice would you give someone wanting to work in the private yachting sector?
Attention to detail is absolutely essential. So is expecting the unexpected; being flexible is a must. Our plans change constantly. People skills are also important, as yachts are crewed by people from all walks of life. How does it differ from commercial shipping? The biggest difference is that we are not run as a viable, profit-making business. Our main goal is to provide the highest standard of service to our guests. This is most evident in the fact that we operate with more crew than guests, so the level of service is second to none. Of course, all of this must be done in a safe and legal manner.

Who has been your inspiration in the shipping world and why?
Recently, I’ve been reading biographies of pilots involved in aviation accidents, as well as the usual MARS, MAIB, CHIRP and AAIB reports. For me, the greatest driving force is knowing that I’m responsible as the OOW, and that everyone onboard is counting on me to make the right decisions.

How important are good communications on the bridge?
When a group of people work as a team to achieve a common goal, the main link has to be communication. I once undertook the onboard role of ‘navigator’ (normally the captain’s) and the captain undertook the role of ‘co-navigator’. The benefits to me were twofold; firstly I was able to experience first-hand the nuances of having the con during critical phases, and secondly, while undertaking the role of ‘co-navigator’, the captain was telling me exactly what information he wanted and when. I guess the key is knowing what information you need, knowing how best to ask for it and, for those being asked to give information, knowing how to present it.

THE KEY IS KNOWING WHAT INFORMATION YOU NEED, KNOWING HOW BEST TO ASK FOR IT, AND HOW TO PRESENT IT