See unitsPersonal safety, social responsibilities and preventing violence and harassment (STCW A-VI/1-4)
Communication and working together on board
1The lesson in plain words
A crew from many countries must understand each other at once, often over noise. Clear messages and good relationships are safety equipment too.
One working language
Crews often come from many countries. Every ship has a working language, recorded in the log book, that all crew must understand so orders and safety information are clear (SOLAS V/14). On most ships it is English. Use it on duty, even with a friend from home, when others need to follow what is happening.
Closed-loop communication
In closed-loop communication the receiver repeats the message back and the sender confirms it is right. "Stop number two pump." "Stop number two pump." "Correct." This catches mistakes before they cause harm. Use short, plain words, names rather than "you", and say clearly when a job is finished.
What gets in the way
Barriers to communication include noise, wind, radio static, accents and slang, tiredness, stress, and rank: a junior may not dare to question a senior. Speak up anyway when something looks wrong. A good officer wants to hear it, and many accidents happened because someone saw the danger but kept quiet.
Living together
You live and work with the same people for months, far from home, in a small space. Good human relationships matter for safety and health. Respect other cultures, religions and habits, keep shared spaces clean, keep noise down when others sleep, and help newcomers. Teamwork means knowing your role, helping others and telling the team what you are doing.
Handling conflict
Disagreements happen. Deal with them early and calmly: talk in private, listen, stick to the problem rather than the person, and look for a fair solution. If you cannot sort it out, ask your head of department or an officer you trust. Never let a quarrel affect safety-critical work.
2Key data
- Working language
- Set for each ship and recorded in the log book (SOLAS V/14)
- Closed loop
- Send, repeat back, confirm
- Common barriers
- Noise, language, fatigue, stress, rank
3Key points
- 1
Every ship has one working language that all crew must understand; use it on duty.
- 2
Closed loop: the receiver repeats the message and the sender confirms it.
- 3
Noise, language, fatigue, stress and rank are barriers; speak up anyway.
- 4
Respect, tidiness and help for newcomers make a safer, happier ship.
- 5
Settle conflicts early, calmly and privately; ask an officer if you need help.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Nodding when you did not understand an order saves time.
Right: If you did not understand, ask for the order again or in simpler words. Then repeat it back and wait for confirmation.
Wrong: A rating should never question an officer.
Right: If something looks unsafe, say so politely and clearly. Rank is no reason to keep quiet.
5Practice case & exam keys
Two numbered pumps are running in a noisy machinery space. An officer radios, "Stop the pump", but does not identify which one.
Show the answer
Do not guess. Ask which pump the officer means. Repeat the clarified order and wait for confirmation. Then stop the named pump and report completion.
Exam keys
- The working language is set for each ship and recorded; all crew must understand it.
- Closed loop: send, repeat back, confirm.
- Barriers: noise, language, fatigue, stress, rank; speak up about danger.
- Good relationships and early, calm conflict resolution support safety.
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