Video

Should the Captain go down with the sinking ship?

published on 9 November 2020 - 79 -

Show comment section |

Found on YouTube. Created by "Mel's Musings".

1:19 What is the history?

2:14 If we fast forward to the modern era, what has changed?

3:00 How have things impacted the modern Captain?

3:33 What are the typical laws on the subject in some countries?

4:05 How is it different from other leadership positions?

5:34 What needs to change?

Blog - https://www.melvinmathews.com/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melvin-mathews/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/melvinsmathews
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melvin.mathews.37
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsmat1/

Credits:
Music - Driving Ambition by Ahjay Stelino (https://mixkit.co/free-stock-music/)
Background Picture - Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/)

Experiences

Join the conversation...

Sanjeev Pande Ocean Sparkle Limited, India

on 12 November 2020, 06:02 UTC

Thank you for making this video. The need for a re-think on today's Captains having all the responsibility but practically no authority in crucial parts of a ship's operation is a must. An amendment in the ISM Code should be aimed at. Instead of that code just saying, "the Master has the over riding authority on matters of safety and environment protection", it should say something like, "the Master and the Ship Owner (that is, the entity/entities exercising technical,operational and commercial control of the ship) shall together, in equal measure, have the authority and responsibility for the safety of lives and the marine environment and which shall be exercised through the master. The responsibility to defend against criminal and/or civil suits filed by States due to accidents involving the vessel that result in loss of life or serious injury or damage to the marine environment shall rest with all parties to the common maritime adventure i.e. shipowners/operators, charterers to the extent of each's contributory acts that led to the accident as determined by the Court of Law under whose jurisdiction the suits arise."

Wishful thinking?

Opinion Should the Captain go down with the ship?

by Melvin Mathews - published on 10 November 2020

At one point, the Captain on the Ship while being highly respected, also carried great responsibility and had the ultimate accountability for everything on board. But this respect, responsibility and accountability has not come overnight, or just when the Captain wears his four stripes.

Opinion If you facilitate 90% of the world's trade, would you influence change?

by Melvin Mathews - published on 1 December 2020

Without a shadow of doubt, shipping is a key enabler of our current way of life and the globalized world we live in today. The irony is that the average person is unaware of the significance or contribution of the shipping industry and how much we rely on ships working without disruption

Opinion Human behaviour: the final frontier in efficiency and operational performance management

by Melvin Mathews - published on 23 November 2020

The arrival of machine learning and artificial intelligence has taken efficiency to a whole new level. Software platforms can now suggest maintenance routines, recommend spare-part changes, and even predict breakdowns of machinery.

Video Kayleigh Ward - Belfast Harbour Pilot Boat Crew

published on 11 July 2024

Our Pilot Boats play a crucial role in maintaining the daily flow of maritime traffic to and from Belfast Harbour. Working 24/7, 365 days a year, in all kinds of weather conditions, this dedicated team carries out the vital task of bringing the Harbour Pilots out to arriving vessels, where they guide them safely into their berths, as well as disembarking them, often in challenging sea conditions on Belfast Lough.
Kayleigh Ward, our sole female pilot boat crew member, reveals how she gave up...

Video Onboard withTampa Bay Pilots

published on 21 November 2024

Amid the breathtaking beauty of Tampa Bay, there is a constant current of change for the Tampa Bay harbor pilots. In an ocean that can turn from peaceful to perilous, the pilots are required to have a calm voice and a steady hand.
“You really do have to know how to work under pressure. You’ve got to be quick on your feet. You’ve got to be on point all the time,” pilot Tevin Freeman said.
Read more: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/tampa-bay-pilots-ships-skyway-...

Video Day in the life of a Marine Pilot on the Humber, UK

published on 7 November 2025

Brief snapshot of a day in the life of a Humber marine Pilot.
This was filmed a few years ago, 2019 I think.
Some standards and best practices have changed since then, for instance I would not have my bag on my back while using the pilot ladder now, I would send it down using a heaving line.
#MarinePilot #shiphandling #pilotage #ships #timelapse #humber

Opinion Interrupting the Error Chain - The importance of SOPs in piloting

by Captain Reginaldo Pantoja AFNI - published on 26 September 2020

Captain Reginaldo Pantoja, AFNI: "Now, as a professional harbour pilot for over 29 years, I try to apply the lessons I learned during these times and also when I worked as a mooring master, tow master, and dock master."

Video Delaware River Pilots - 2013

published on 26 May 2020

A story I shot on the Delaware river pilots, very cool people who have a very important job. Every cargo ship that has to get anywhere up the Delaware River gets a pilot delivered to it while in the Delaware Bay, who guides it up through the narrow shoals

Video On Call with the River Tyne Pilot Boat ⚓ Real Life, Real Action

published on 13 November 2025

Join me for a full shift working on the River Tyne as part of the pilot boat crew — serving ships, surveying the river, using our underwater drone, and even lifting the boat out for essential repairs. From early starts to emergency call-outs, this video gives you a real look behind the scenes at life on the water. ⚙️ What’s in this video: Pilot boat duties & ship transfers River Tyne survey missions Underwater drone footage Boat maintenance and lift-out Responding to emergency call-outs 🎥...