Some of the most influential individuals and companies from the seafaring, fishing and offshore oil and gas industries will visit the Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland from Sept. 28 to 30, 2010 to attend the fourth International Conference on Maritime Human Resources Solutions.

The conference is presented by the Company of Master Mariners of Canada and the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada and will take place in Hampton Hall at MI’s Ridge Rd. campus in St. John’s.

 

Among the many high-profile guests at the convention is Capt. Hartmut Hess, senior deputy director, Maritime Safety Divisions, International Maritime Organization (IMO). Capt. Hess will deliver the keynote address at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 29, with a focus on operational safety and the human element.

“The Marine Institute is pleased to host such an important and essential conference and I look forward to meeting the many prominent industry representatives scheduled to attend, including Capt. Hess, one of the most highly respected members of IMO,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “The managing of the human element in the maritime industry is going through a fundamental change, which places much importance on events such as the International Conference on Maritime Human Resources Solutions. This represents a unique opportunity to learn more about the recent and upcoming changes in this sector from those who are leading the industry today.”

Several significant topics related to the sea faring, fishing and offshore oil and gas industries will be presented, discussed and debated during the conference, including:

 

-           Maritime education and training/amendments to the STCW code

-           Recruitment and retention of seagoing personnel

-           Group-based risk decision making

-           Fatigue management

-           ISM code

-           Petroleum and offshore industry updates

-           Managing multiculturalism in shipping

-           Safety culture and leadership

 

“We really want to focus on the human element of the maritime industries with a mandate to improve safety at sea. A million and a half seafarers serve the daily needs of more than 6.5 billion citizens of the world, so these issues are obviously important to a great number of people and regions around the planet,” said Capt. Jim Parsons, conference organizer who is also a member of the Company of Master Mariners of Canada and an instructor with MI’s School of Maritime Studies. “A good example of this is the fatigue management topic that will take a closer look at the impact of harsh environmental conditions on human resources; the human factors approach to understanding the causes contributing to fatigue in the Atlantic Canada shipping industry; and supporting human performance in ice and cold conditions.”

The International Conference on Maritime Human Resources Solutions begins with a meet-and-greet ceremony at the Crow’s Nest Officers Club in St. John’s on Sept. 28. At 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 29 registration begins, followed by a welcome from Capt. Parsons.

 

Other speakers who will address the seminar on Sept. 29 include:

 

-           Dr. Darin King, minister, Dept. of Education/Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

-           Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute

-           Captain Tony Patterson, divisional master, Newfoundland and Labrador Division of The Company of Master Mariners of Canada

-           Cheryl Knight, executive director and CEO, Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada

-           Captain Naim Nazha, Director, Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage, Marine Safety, Transport Canada.

 

For more information, please contact Darcy MacRae, public relations/ communications officer, Fisheries and Marine Institute, at (709) 778-0677, (709) 687-2205, Darcy.MacRae@mi.mun.ca or Kimberley Thornhill, educational marketing co-ordinator, Fisheries and Marine Institute, at (709) 778-0544, (709) 691-9221, Kim.Thornhill@mi.mun.ca.