Study shows crew incompetence

A study covering 4,500 ships leaving Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia has found that many had incompetent crews. The study, undertaken by the Seafarers International Research Centre at Cardiff University, is further proof that the industry is headed for a crisis as a result of the lack of skilled manpower.

Crews were assessed by pilots filling out a standardised form and each ship was given a score out of 100 — those scoring below 70 were considered poor, and below 60 were very poor. While the overall average was 77, crews on 18 per cent of bulk carriers and general cargo vessels scored below 60, as did between four and 10 per cent of those on container, reefer and roro vessels. Three per cent of crews on gas carriers and chemical tankers also scored below 60 per cent.

There were also wide variations between the scores depending on the flag. Only four per cent of vessels flagged in Northern Europe scored below 60 per cent, against 25 per cent of those from the Black Sea Rim countries, and 13 per cent carrying the Panamanian flag.