01/31/2026
A kind reminder to not just our waterfront colleagues, but anyone that is required to board a vessel during a port call. Although this video is of an extreme reaction to a problem surveyor by a Chief Officer, it can and will happen. "Be kind to one another, even if you disagree on stuff." Fortunately, this wasn't one of our ships or a port serviced by our company.
We're all charged with being ambassadors to our profession and the ports we service. Often the surveyor is the first impression the vessel’s crew has at a port of call. The local shipping agent typically proceeds directly to the master’s office after “gangway down” and disembarks immediately after conducting the relatively brief onboard business. In contrast, the cargo surveyor typically interacts much more closely with the chief and other deck officers. This tends to hold even more true if the vessel is loading and multiple surveys are being performed during the final stages of dry bulk cargo operations, known as “trimming.” Sometimes, just a simple gesture can go a long way to “grease the wheels” in the interest of good cooperation. During the warm months, we typically present the vessel with fresh locally-grown produce. Old DVDs can be recycled, enabling visiting ship crews to gain a better command of English. Recently, one of our surveyors was confronted by a crewman, remembering that he had given him a ride to Walmart years earlier. Our man didn’t remember the event but glad he had sowed the seeds of “good karma.”
“It’s all about relationships” and quickly establishing solid ground will go a long way towards a pleasant vessel call. Good for you and more important, good for your client.
