254 Appendix E
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Does the clothing locker contain
appropriate foul weather gear for the voyage?
E = External Pressures
External pressures are influences external
to the cruise that create a sense of pressure
to complete a voyage —often at the
expense of safety. Factors that can be external
pressures include the following:
The desire to satisfy a specific personal goal
(“get- home-itis,” “get-there-itis,” and
“let’s-go-itis”).
The PIC’s general goal-completion orientation.
Emotional pressure associated with
acknowledging that skill and experience
levels may be lower than a PIC would like
them to be. Pride can be a powerful external
factor.
Someone waiting at the destination port
for the vessel to arrive.
Managing External
Pressures
Management of external pressure is the
single most important key to risk management
because it is the one risk factor category
that can cause a PIC to ignore all the
other risk factors. External pressures put
time-related pressure on the PIC and figure
into a majority of accidents.
The use of personal standard operating
procedures (SOPs) is one way to manage
external pressures. The goal is to supply
a release for the external pressures of
a cruise. These procedures include but are
not limited to:
Allow time on a trip for an extra re-supply
and provision / fuel stop, or to make an
unexpected port call because of weather or
illness.
Have alternate plans for a late arrival or
make backup airline reservations for mustbe
there trips.
For really important trips, plan to leave
early enough so that there would still be
time to drive to the destination.
Advise those who are waiting at the destination
that the arrival may be delayed.
Know how to notify them when delays are
encountered.
Eliminate pressure to return home, even
on a casual day-cruise, by carrying a small
overnight kit containing prescriptions,
contact lens solutions, toiletries, or other
necessities on every voyage.
The key to managing external pressure
is to be ready for and accept delays.
Remember that people get delayed when
traveling on airlines, driving a car, or taking
a bus. The PIC’s goal is to manage risk,
not create hazards.
P = Person in Command (PIC)
The PIC is one of the risk factors in a
cruise. The PIC must ask, “Am I ready for
this trip?” in terms of experience, currency,
physical and emotional condition. The
IMSAFE checklist provides the answers
We read about and note many boating
accidents and even casualties. It would seem
many boaters are accident prone. However
study of the accidents shows skipping
details on a checklist appears to be a common
theme in accidents. While most boaters
have made similar mistakes, these errors
were probably caught prior to a mishap due
to extra margin, good warning systems, a
sharp crew member, or just good luck. What
makes a PIC less prone to accidents?
The successful PIC possesses the
ability to concentrate, manage workloads,
monitor and perform several simultaneous
tasks. Some of the latest psychological
screenings used in aviation test applicants
for their ability to multitask, measuring
both accuracy, as well as the individual’s
ability to focus attention on several subjects
simultaneously. These same skills and abilities
are required in boaters.
Five traits were discovered in pilots
prone to having accidents. These pilots: