Page 5 - Navik Jeevan_Ebook

Preamble

In 2018 during a meeting of the Training & A project of this scale needs sufficient planning. At
Research Committee of the Indian Shipowners’ the outset it was accepted that no one questionnaire
Association (INSA), a survey report on the training will be suitable for all levels of seafarers. Further it
practices, conducted by a group of organizations was felt that a large cross-section of the industry
in Europe was tabled and discussed. While it was should be in the respondents so that meaningful
acknowledged that the study was good and useful, correlations and analysis could be resulted. Thus
it was felt that an India focused study would be questionnaires were developed for active seafarers
more useful to our industry. With this in mind a (management level, operational level and ratings);
proposal was submitted to the Board of INSA. I am company executives; maritime teachers and
grateful to Capt. Anoop Sharma, the then President trainers; surveyors and examiners etc. Of course
of INSA, as well as the then Board members for few questions were common to some of the
approving this project. questionnaires. Each questionnaire had about 50
It was felt that the scope of this exhaustive study to 70 questions on different aspects. Most of the
questions required selecting a choice out of four
should not be limited to the training issues but or five options.
cover all aspects of the life of the seafarers. Some
of these were employment, training, discrimination Questions were formed after meeting and
& harassment, fatigue & stress, motivation & interviewing working professionals from different
happiness, safety & environment, working on related fields, including active seafarers. Inputs
board etc. Fittingly the project was named “Navik were also taken from officials as well as company
Jeevan” (A Survey on the life of seafarers). It was representatives of FOSMA, MASSA and INSA. I
further felt that the study should also include an take this opportunity to thank these organizations
analysis of different aspects in the life of a student for their inputs and support. I must put on record
undergoing training in a pre-sea program in a the support of the offices of the Directorate
maritime institute in the country. General of Shipping which made it possible to
contact the respondents. A pilot survey was initially
A project of such magnitude requires two main conducted and the responses analyzed to validate
things, namely a dedicated team led by a focused the questions.
and committed leader and adequate financial
support. It was decided that the project will be The project was started before the COVID-19
planned and executed, under the aegis of the pandemic hit all of us. However, while all other
Training & Research Committee, by a team of activities were halted, operation of ships continued
faculty members of the three INSA owned training globally. No word of praise will be enough for
institutes, namely Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI), the seafarers who kept the ships moving in spite
Induri, Great Eastern Academy, Lonavala, and of many difficulties like delayed return to their
Maritime Training Institute, Powai. Capt. Manoj families, anxiety about the welfare of their near
Hirkane, Vice Principal, TMI was the team leader. and dear ones back home etc. The duration of the
I acknowledge the excellent work done by Capt. study was extended to cover this unique situation.
Hirkane and his team. In spite of their full schedule It is however, possible that the responses to some
at work they took the time out for this unique of the questions are little skewed. It may be a good
project. I acknowledge the constant support and idea to repeat the survey after few years.
guidance given by the members of the Training Finally, it is with great satisfaction that we present
& Research Committee. The work could not have the report to the industry. I am sure the analysis
been completed without the guidance of Dr. Sujata and correlations will initiate debate in the industry
Naik-Tolani, President, INSA and the support of the and positive changes will be made by drawing
INSA staff, especially Mr Anil Devli, CEO and Capt. inferences from the study.
A. Kumar, Advisor.
The financial support for the project was made
available by the Maritime Training Trust (MTT). Dr. Brijendra K. Saxena
I thank its Chairman, Mr. Amitabh Kumar, IRS, Chairman, Training & Research Committee, INSA
Director General of Shipping, as well as the other November 2021
trustees of MTT for this gesture and the confidence
in our proposal. I am also thankful to Mr. R.S. Kabra,
CEO of MTT for his support.

Navik Jeevan Survey 2021 III