Whose culture? The impact of language and culture on safety and compliance at sea

12 Sep 2013 Bulletin: Issue 14 - Communication Resource

Successful teamwork depends on good communication: misunderstandings are often attributed to difficulties communicating in a common language. However, culture is also a contributing factor and has a significant impact on compliance, safety and performance.

Problems with language competence may stem from the status of English in seafarers' home countries and the education systems. Some widespread issues in the provision of Maritime English training at academies include the lack of:

  • time allocated to Maritime English
  • up-to-date resources integrating Mari- time English content with the Commun- icative Approach to language learning
  • time to develop practical skills of listening and speaking (with priority given to learning terminology)
  • exam systems evaluating spoken competence
  • a standardised qualification for Maritime English trainers
  • opportunities for Maritime English trainers to update their knowledge of both subject content and methodology

Seafarers may therefore graduate with an excellent (passive) knowledge of Maritime English but without the practical (active) ability to use the language confidently and fluently in routine and emergency situations.

These issues are being tackled directly by IMO, supported by the International Maritime Training Trust, through the delivery of IMO's Maritime Instructor Training Course (MEITC) internationally, a two-week course to upgrade the knowledge and teaching practice of Maritime English trainers.

Employers have also come to recognise the need to conduct English language assessment, including spoken English testing at the recruitment stage.

By implementing English language testing policies which set out competence levels by rank, companies can set their own standards for global recruitment and training. Where language skills are lacking, assessment enables employers to identify where further language training is required.

The choice of English language training is critical: as the majority of seafarers now work in mixed nationality crews, effective English language training should focus on developing spoken fluency; understanding English spoken with a range of international accents; and the impact of culture on communication.

Specialist training in cultural awareness is also available separately and helps raise awareness of how and why cultures differ.

National cultures have been defined in five dimensions: when you apply this model to a typical mixed nationality crew, the root causes of misunderstandings become clear. By extending the model to corporate cultures with their emphasis on safety and compliance, we can anticipate when and why deficiencies may occur on board.

The aim of cultural training is to develop strategies for predicting, understanding and resolving miscommunications. As the world continues to shrink in the search for both sea and shore staff, language and communication skills training are essential tools to support effective teamwork and a culture of safety.