Seamen who work on the deck of a ship face serious hazards, some of which can be mitigated through proper communication. Deck work depends on being able to see what’s going on, timing actions properly and having clear instructions.
When communication breaks down, vessel operations can become dangerous quickly. Cargo, line, and hatch handling require multiple people to work together in a specific sequence. Crane work, mooring and moving equipment around also require teamwork. Hazards sometimes occur in the midst of doing these jobs, so the seaman who notices it needs to be able to tell their shipmates.
Challenges in communication on deck
Decks are busy and noisy places, particularly on commercial vessels. Deckhands are often separated by machinery, cargo, distance and blocked lines of sight. This makes hand signals or visual cues ineffective on the deck. Because of this, having open lines of verbal communication is critical, particularly when seamen can’t see each other.
The United States Coast Guard warns that a lack of communication on a vessel can become deadly. For example, a crane operator can’t see someone who’s blocked behind cargo, so they may not see the person signaling that the cargo is at risk of falling.
Safe communication requires more than just having communication equipment on the vessel. Radios should be provided directly to workers who are on deck, particularly if they’re working in cargo operations or when tasks require coordination between deckhands.
Injured seamen also rely on communication to get the medical assistance they need. Those seamen may opt to seek compensation for the injuries they suffer on the vessel. These cases can be challenging, so it’s best to work with someone who’s familiar with maritime law.