order to respond to unexpected events. Success depends upon the need to accomplish separate and sometimes competing tasks, placing unique challenges on the critical component of leadership.
DEPOSITS IN THE BANK OF EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING Most of us have heard of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, famous for the 2009 “miracle on the Hudson,” when he safely landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River. Sully’s accomplishment is a demonstration of CRM in action: outstanding leadership actuating safety practices and protocols. The plane struck a flock of Canada geese about 4.5 miles northwest of LaGuardia Airport shortly after takeoff. Both engines failed, and Sullenberger assumed the conn while his co-pilot worked the checklist for an engine restart. Sully evaluated the options: Return to La Guardia, divert to the airport in Teterboro, New Jersey, or attempt a water landing in the Hudson. Sullenberger radioed a
BILL STRASSBERG Bill Strassberg assumes the position of chairperson of CCA’s Safety and Seamanship Committee in 2022. Bill has sailed Visions of Johanna across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and to high latitudes in Iceland and Greenland. While Bill has made his share of mistakes and mishaps over the years, he is pretty good about not making the same mistake twice. At the same time, he always seems to be inventing new ways to misstep, and he has learned that strict adherence to vessel procedures and protocols, combined with a crew that works as a team, helps build the Culture of Safety we strive for. His number one crew, his wife Johanna, no longer wishes to join him on long ocean crossings or in high latitudes. Nonetheless, she is always with him, perched on his shoulder while whispering sage advice and commentaries in his ear, such as “it’s time to reef!”
Mayday call to New York Terminal Radar Approach Control: “We’re turning back toward LaGuardia.” Then: “We’re unable.” Controllers suggested Teterboro. Sully replied: “We can’t do it … We’re gonna be in the Hudson.” Nine hundred feet above the George Washington Bridge, Sullenberger commanded, “Brace for impact” as the plane made an unpowered ditching. Sullenberger opened the cockpit door and gave the order to evacuate. Water rose in the cabin as Sullenberger walked the cabin twice to confirm it was empty. Nearby ships and the Coast Guard assisted, and no souls were lost that day. The NTSB final report credited the outcome to four factors. Among them were good decision-making and teamwork by the cockpit crew, and performance of the flight crew during the evacuation. Sully later said, “I never had an engine failure in 42 years in any flight I’d ever flown, but I was ready,” Sully said. Later, he elaborated, “One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education, and training. On January 15, the balance was sufficient, so that I could make a very large withdrawal.” Sully has been quick to point out the positive outcome that resulted in all lives saved was due to the actions of multiple groups and teams.
CULTURE OF SAFETY AND CORE PRINCIPLES OF CRM On this occasion, Captain Sullenberger, a safety expert and CRM instructor, demonstrates the core principles of CRM: Situational awareness, problem-solving and decision-making, effective communication and leveling of the organizational hierarchy. Sully’s coworkers not only adhered to safety protocols and routines but were trained to be active participants in the safety culture. Vessel safety is a combination of safety protocols and gear, skipper leadership and crew participation. Practice of protocols and drills engages crew, bringing them into the safety process. Their involvement reinforces an onboard safety culture as the crew communicates and problem solves as a team. The true culture of safety is only realized when yacht protocols and skipper leadership result in a crew ethos that not only adheres to safety practices, but develops a crew that actively participates in the safety culture of the ship. The transformation of a crew, from one that follows safety protocols to one that participates and builds a culture of safety, is the mark of both a successful safety program and effective leadership. Incorporation of these principles into small vessel management will help make us better and safer out at sea. 2 issue 64 2022
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