16 AUGUST 2018 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETY Navigating your risks, day and night. As the owner of a passenger vessel you face tough decisions every day, from hiring qualified crew to making sure your vessel is in prime condition. At Aon, we spend day and night thinking about your maritime risks so buying insurance doesn’t have to be another tough decision. We work with you to develop creative approaches and customized solutions that deliver more efficiencies, improved profitability and greater value. For more information, please call 1.800.730.7053 or visit passengervessel.com/member-resources.html#insurance Risk. Reinsurance. Human Resources. Navigating your Aon Risk Solutions Marine Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters, Fire Island Ferries, where Anderson is employed, also uses the PVA Online Learning Management Safety Training Portal. “Fire Island Ferries, Inc. does utilize this training tool and we are a big proponent of it and probably the most frequent user of it,” Anderson confirmed. “We particularly like its ease of use and content. We specifically like that we can print off the modules individually. We do a classroom-style training where the content is displayed on a large screen and reviewed. Then, the printed hard copy is taken out to one of our vessels where we will tailor it to our vessel-specific applications.” As operators using the LMS, both give it high marks and recommend it other passenger vessel operators. Asked about the chief advantages of this management training system, Anderson responded, “Ease of use and having an exam at the end of each training module. It affords us the ability to track questions (if any) seem to pose problems for employees. If we see a trend towards a specific topic which seems to need more attention, we will place more emphasis on it.” Bijur concurred saying, “I would definitely recommend the use of this method of training for all operators big and small. The ease of access, the record keeping capabilities (currently printed test results), remedial learning, at the student’s own pace. Blended learning is the future a mix of online content, and practical demonstration. “ When asked why he advocates strongly for the PVA LMS program, Anderson said, “We are in a digital world where everything needs to be at our fingertips. This type of training can be done anywhere: alone, in a group, at work, or at home. This enables us to meet some of the constraints of our employees while still achieving our training initiative.” Looking through a wider lens, Anderson recognized that the online component of the program allows PVA to evaluate the training levels and courses that either helpful, or need to be addressed. “It affords the PVA Safety and Security Committee, and its PVA staff liaison Eric Christensen, the ability to track member involvement while being able to track particular questions or content members are getting wrong,” Anderson reported. “Therefore, the Committee can focus on where we need to pay more attention to industry trends and training needs.” Who Benefits Most? Clearly, vessel operators benefit from a well-trained staff. Passengers are likely reassured that the crew onboard the vessel are trained for a myriad of situations. And, overall, the entire passenger vessel industry reaps the rewards of personnel who are safety conscious and professionally trained as it not only improves the public image, insurance claims may plummet as a result of consistent and frequent