"In order to proceed safely, we repeat the instructions together and reflect on possible risks."

Safety at sea: Safety Observer initiative aboard the Oranje

To elevate safety aboard the Oranje, Captain Marco de Bruin has implemented a new initiative by introducing the role of Safety Observer. The goal is to embed a deep sense of safety consciousness within the crew's daily operations. Each month, a different crew member steps into the role and actively contributes to the vessel's safety culture. To encourage continuous learning and sharing knowledge, Marco explains the purpose and aims of his initiative, while crew members Joel Yuzon, Rocell Cadampog and Gilbert Rojas share their first-hand experiences.

"A good captain or a good safety leader, or can I be both at the same time?"

“Let me introduce myself. I am Bouke Putter, working for Boskalis since 1997, of which the last 15 years in the role of Captain on the hoppers. In 2023, I started as participant in the NINA Safety Leadership Expedition which I completed on 14 December by doing my end presentation at the Summit session. Sharing my personal experiences and reflections was valuable for myself and the guests, and I therefore share my experiences in NINA at Work.“

"To address culture and safety, the first step is to understand culture."

"In order to proceed safely, we repeat the instructions together and reflect on possible risks."

"It takes time and effort to guide people and to implement the NINA culture."

"Personally, I like to involve others and actively invite people to speak up."

NINA Launch at Horizon Geosciences

Early February NINA was formally launched at Horizon in the UAE. During a two-day event, management and employees came together to share their views on safety and set common goals It was the next step in NINA's implementation process which started with an inventory regarding the current safety awareness within Horizon and was followed by a Senior Management training based on the analysis of the inventory. This careful approach revealed a lot of similarities between NINA and Horizon’s own values and everyday practices. NINA definitely got a soft landing within Horizon.

We do it together! Travailler ensemble!

If Project Manager Frans Thomassen was asked to put one motto on a sign, it would be: ‘We do it together’. At his current project, on the Togo-Benin border, this is called ‘travailler ensemble’. This shows in every detail: from the way the contract was set up to the communication lines with the local community. Report of a project with major challenges.

“I am constantly looking around me at work. That is what I am trying to get across to the young guys.”

With his 40 years of service, Chris Bos can rightfully be called an old hand. Having started out as an apprentice diver, he has now been working as a Salvage Master for many years.

"We make sure our employees are updated in decisions."

"If you do not share information, they do not feel part of the group/the collective. Their involvement has a positive effect on the whole project. As leaders we should be the initiators in this respect." 

Safety E-learning boring? You might be pleasantly surprised!

NINA is for everyone on our projects. To support that point of view the NINA E-learning is available for both employees and (sub)-contractors as well. Christian Rathkamp, DOCM at Boskalis Hirdes in Hamburg, recently finished it and shares his experiences. “I found it very good, because you did not have to worry about good or wrong answers. You could focus completely on the message.”

What is the real added value of a NINA Workbox?

When CLV Spirit had to wait for the installation of a platform at the Hornsea2 project, Captain Glenn Raes and OCM Arjan Ottink proposed to use this idle time for safety sessions. SHE-Q Advisor Ricardo Guedes came up with the idea to facilitate NINA Workboxes for both marine and project crew.

NINA greetings from Port la Nouvelle!

SHE-Q Engineer Caroline Kannwischer came up with a brilliantly simple idea to connect people: she designed an old-fashioned postcard to celebrate 10 years NINA.

In the spotlight: the rotation toolbox

How can we make our toolbox meetings more lively? That’s the question David Cuninghame, Project Manager at Subsea Cables, asked himself when working on the Ndeavor. He remembered an Australian initiative: the rotating toolbox. The idea is simple: you appoint a crew member to reflect on their previous shift. He then nominates a colleague to do the same at next day’s toolbox. The toolbox facilitator should still conduct their section of the toolbox to inform and discuss about the activities that are planned for the upcoming shift. The rotating part is foreseen as an add-in at the beginning to allow the group to reflect on their own previous shift.

Bringing subcontractors into the ‘NINA flow'

Arjan Ottink, OCM, and Nick Troost, DOCM, took the new NINA E-learning course from home before starting work on the Triton Knoll wind turbine project. The project ran from June through November 2020, so right in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. This meant the opportunities for coming together for a NINA session were limited. They found that taking the NINA E-learning course in advance was a good alternative.

It’s possible to inspire and energize each other online too

In January, Menno van der Ploeg, Director Projects at Boskalis Nederland and Jan Tetteroo, Assistant Foreman, took part in an online NINA Management training course. Its format and degree of interaction came as a positive surprise to both of them.