Having held the first edition of 2011 “Quality Improvement Session” ( or Mini-Seminar ) with Senior Officers from KLSM Pool at Chennai in May, the Second such event was organized at New Delhi on 26/July/2011 at Hyatt Regency. The attendees were a mix of senior officers from both Energy & Container Pool of KLSM floating staff, and this time, there was a better presence from Container Pool Officers. The Top Management from shore offices of KLSM, in Tokyo, in Singapore, and in Mumbai, were present, as well as from KLMA (India).

The day’s schedule was broadly the same as Chennai event, and President Kuboshima San kicked off the discussion on the issue of “Professionalism” of seafarers. The two most important and burning issues ( The Piracy, and the Japan Disaster / Nuclear Fallout ) mostly dominated the discussions that followed. There was remarkable participation from all, the Officers and the Management, and everybody came out with their honest and frank viewpoint on various issues concerning the life and work on board the ships. A presentation on the Piracy Menace, by Capt Rele, updated everyone about the measures being adopted by KLSM for protection of it’s staff and it’s business interests.

Vetting Inspections, and recent inclusion of ECDIS Course (based on IMO Model 1.27) was another important subject, as well as the Analysis of Navigational Incidents in KLSM Fleet by Capt Bhattacharya, followed by a very useful exchange of information amongst all present on recommended measures to succeed in Vetting Inspections, to reduce accidents, to tackle piracy issue. President Kuboshima San was forthright in his admission that the Piracy has grown into a considerable threat, and his assurance of best possible measures to protect the vessel and her crew, was welcomed by the Officers.

Capt B.S.Randhawa made a presentation on how the ship’s staff is feeling at the time of transiting through Piracy infested area, and Ch-Eng Alok Srivastava shared his experience of more than 8 years of working with KLSM.

The intensity of involvement by all present was just like the experience from earlier such events, and whatever time allocation was towards the lectures and presentations, had to be cut short – as the discussions, the exchange of ideas, steps for better future, and the interaction between the top management & senior officers dominated the proceedings. At the end of the day, it can be stated that the event assisted in promoting better understanding, and gaining useful inputs for better future.