JULY 2014
STAFF NEWS Hi everyone, For us and every other commercial vessel operator this means a greater responsibility for the safety and compliance aspects of our operation. In the past we could rely on the services of a Safe Ship Management Company to act as third party between us and the regulator, Maritime NZ. The new system means we have a direct relationship with the regulator whilst retaining the services of a marine surveyor. I’ve been out catching up with a number of our vessel crews discussing our plans for MOSS. We are in the enviable position of having a technology platform at Fullers that will enable us to push most of our documentation onto our SharePoint system and this will mean smaller vessel manuals (less paper!) and greater visibility for vessel crews of our operator plan, a key requirement of the new system. Our operator plan is partially built and we’re currently reviewing our Standard Operating Procedures, Emergency Operating Procedures and Standing Orders. New legislation means we have a few gaps we need to close in our procedures around things like the carriage of dangerous goods. From what I have seen we’ve been doing this safely to date, however, we just need to get the process documented so we can demonstrate to the regulator that we take safety seriously.
MOSS coincides with changes to Seafarer Licensing, which for us means the 150 or so certificates that our people hold need to be transitioned to a new certification framework between now and 2019; for most this will be relatively straight forward but for a very small portion there may be some refresher training to undertake, and in my case there will be a requirement to demonstrate competence as I no longer have the ability to accrue “sea time” but am in an aligned maritime safety role, I’m sure there will be a few others “in the same boat”.
Almost two months into the new role and all things MOSS are progressing well for Health and Safety manager Alistair Thomson.
On the Health and Safety front the Health and Safety Amendment Bill made it through its first reading at select committee. The Transport and Industrial Relations Committee receives a report and then the Bill should progress for its second reading. The new legislation has a number of implications for our business so we’re keeping a weather eye on it! Thanks for making me feel so welcome in the new role and all the support getting me up to speed with the way we do things. My family (Rachel, Lucy 5 ¾ and William 4 1/2) particularly enjoyed the day out on Takahe recently with Lucy reluctant to give control of the vessel back to “Captain Dan”! I’m enjoying being part of an organisation committed to industry best practice and will be utilising the huge knowledge base we have at Fullers to help make this happen.
Cheers, Al.
Alistair is seen here with son William enjoying the Takahe re-naming fun day. See more pics of the celebration on page 3.
It’s winter...and Time for a laugh! So we’re giving away 8 double Hoyts movie tickets!
Simply send your contact details to competitions@fullers.co.nz and you’ll go in the draw to a fun night out with a friend!
Al
Super-caring Crew!
Skipper Mark Walker, Engineer Grant Watkin and onboard services team of Natalie De Bruyn and Brian Piper came in for some very grateful thanks following the 3pm sailing to Waiheke on Wednesday 16 July: “I would like to extend my thanks to the Captain and crew of the Starflyte on the sailing to Waiheke today. After my first day of chemotherapy and on return to the island I felt pretty poorly and fainted. The crew were of great assistance and I appreciate the Captain slowing the vessel to check if I needed to return to the city. Thanks again, please pass on my thanks to the team, it was greatly appreciated. I’m so glad I wasn’t feeling like this during last weeks swells!“ - Nathan M. Well done team, this is the kind of caring service that makes us all proud!
TOP MARKS FOR 360 TEAMSTERS!
Having trouble sleeping? It’s not only people working shifts that struggle to balance a good nights sleep with an active home and work life. According to a NZ Herald article last month, insomnia is reaching epidemic proportions. Here are a few practical tips if you find yourself wide awake at 3am.
Distract yourself
The most annoying thing about sleep is that you can’t make your body do it. Instead, distract your mind from panicking. It’s the theory behind counting sheep – though experts now agree that’s too boring to work for long. So picture your childhood home: walk into each room, remembering as much detail as you can. Imagining a scene is both distracting and relaxing.
Mind racing? Write it down
If you’re awake because something specific is eating away at you, put pen to paper. Make a list of worries, with an action to solve each until you are tired. If you fall asleep, great, if not, continue. Do it in your head and thoughts become jumbled; writing down your worries is a form of exorcism for anxiety.
Beat the tossing and turning trap
Science says meditation does wonders for stress. Lie still, close your eyes and follow your breath from nostril to belly and out again. Don’t worry if do you have thoughts, that’s normal. Just keep coming back to the breath. A calm body = a calm mind.
But don’t start your day
You may as well answer a few emails right? No! It’s the worst thing to do for two reasons. Anything too productive over-stimulates the brain and wakes you up. Then the sense of achievement could set up a subconscious pattern to make you keep waking up in the night to get things done.
Passenger Paula made up a special certificate titled “Great Skippering & Ferry Service Award “ from all of the passengers who braved the weather and enjoyed (or maybe endured) the thrilling ride”. They were on-board on the morning of 9th July when the weather was diabolical. Well done Paul and Richard, small vessel in huge seas and swell even under the harbour bridge and up the river! “Donny McQuarrie always engages and briefs passengers at the wharf, so they are well aware of what their day will entail. On our scenic drive and Kauri forest walk the visitors have already been informed of Kauri Die back thanks to Donny their Skipper. Awesome work, thanks Donny!”- Sarni from Coromandel Adventures Charlie Wilson has been flat out with the introduction of the Galaxy booking system onto the 360 Discovery vessels. She is also training a new employee and continuing to deal with a multitude of everyday tasks. Well done Charlie, great to have your level head around the place sorting these teething issues out!
Stay away from your phone
LCD screens in phones, tablets, laptops and flat-screen TV produce blue spectrum light suppressing the release of melatonin and putting you in daytime mode.
If all else fails
Read something boring. A good thriller will keep you reading for ages; the opposite of the desired effect. A section of the newspaper you have the least interest in is ideal.
Takahe family fun day! The weather came right for the re-naming ceremony held on board the MV Takahe. Heavy rain the night before meant the BBQ stayed onboard and after the official plaque unveiling, we were treated to a special harbour cruise with the kids spotting dolphins, visiting the wheelhouse and talking to Skipper Dan. Each child received a certificate (and most parents stood in line for theirs too) and a goodie bag of treats as well as their own toy Takahe. The BBQ was perfect and the afternoon wound down with a great DVD on the big screens of ‘Frozen’ with all the children, including mums and dads, singing along to ‘Let it go’.
“This is the best ferry ride EVER!” – Monty Bailey, aged 4.
Communication is taking people with you… Fullers Operations Manager, Megan Price has sent a message through to 360 Discovery manager, Jimbo, to pass on her commendation to Corey Climo. Megan says that whenever Corey works a Fullers service run his communication to the Duty Managers is always exemplary. “It is a pleasure dealing with him; he is always clear and concise with his requests and intentions”. These sentiments are backed up by Jimbo, who recently travelled on a sailing with Corey to Islington Bay. This sailing was running 10 minutes late due to a medical emergency on Kea, leaving Discovery 1 to cover for her at the very last moment. Unprompted, Corey made a sincere announcement, apologising for being late – and a simple apology goes a long way. No grumbles from passengers. Result. Great stuff Corey!
The New Vessel
STAFF PROFILE: For 13 years Jim Hannan has devoted his many talents to all things Fullers, in particular, Waiheke Island. Based at the Matiatia Ticket office, Jim came from the airline industry, holding management roles in marketing for Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia. Jim first met Fullers director Keith Johnson and Chairman George Hudson as he was building his home on Waiheke in 2001. This was a steelframe house shipped in a container from Western Australia. Since joining Fullers his reputation for ‘connecting’ with the island‘s people, service and business communities has become legendary. Alas, the legend is stepping down from his role at the end of this month but there’s no shortage of things to do, people to help, wines to taste and enjoy! As newly elected chairman of the National Party he’ll be assisting Nicky Kaye and the team in the upcoming elections. So, we’re all invited to catch-up with Jim, spin a few yarns and have a few laughs at a time and place to be confirmed very soon.
One of two diesel engines installed port side.
THE NEW VESSEL is progressing rapidly with the vast majority of welding now complete. Painting is underway with the branding masked in readiness for colour application. With the engineering complete the electrical work is currently underway.
The helm.
Shot Shelley!!
Painting the upper deck.
As part of the annual festival of photography, Shelley Wood of Matiatia ticket office submitted her photo of Superflyte taken as it left Matiatia wharf at 6pm one evening. Using a 30 sec exposure to streak the lights and show movement, we think this photo is a winner and so did the organisers of the Auckland Photo Day competition, placing it in the top 20 out of over 1,000 images. You’ve got talent Shelley!