Japanese Classification Society: Simple SMS and Lovoy Method

Japanese Classification Society: Simple SMS and Lovoy Method

This is an abbreviated version of a recent news article from Kystens Næringsliv – a Norwegian Maritime Newspaper. The Japanese classification society Class NK recommends a Norwegian method to simplify complicated and cumbersome procedures for crew members.

Many industry stakeholders are working on simplifying Safety Management Systems (SMSs) onboard ships. Among them is Norwegian Terje Lovoy. The Lovoy Group is now located in Canada.

Lovoy sees it as significant that the Japanese classification society now focuses on the people who will use the safety systems.

Important Recognition

Lovoy describes the new document as crucial recognition, both professionally and practically. He believes it will change the industry's approach to safety, shifting from mere control to usability and human factors.

"We have been waiting a long time for classification societies to want to simplify SMSs," he says.

Sixteen Years of Work—Acknowledged by Classification Societies

—"It is very gratifying that one of the world's largest classification societies recommends, among other things, our method to simplify onboard safety procedures," he adds. "It was an idea I adopted from the aviation industry 16 years ago. There, safety procedures are thorough yet straightforward to navigate. It improves onboard safety and reduces the chance of human error," Lovoy tells Kystens Næringsliv.

—What does this mean for your company?

—"For us, it is recognition of what we have been working on for 16 years. We are fully booked with clients, so in the short term, it does not mean increased turnover. But for the industry as a whole, it is crucial that new and more user-friendly safety solutions are approved by classification societies," Lovoy says.

Since 2009, Lovoy has participated in SMS improvement projects involving 59 shipping companies.

Terje Lovoy, a former airline captain who worked for Boeing, is now a senior partner in the  Lovoy Group, which assists shipping companies worldwide in training and understanding SMS — safety systems onboard.

He started his business in Norway but now has his headquarters in Canada.

Lovoy's method, developed in collaboration with shipping companies such as Eidesvik, Teekay Norway, and Westfal-Larsen, has gained international traction.

From Technology to People

Since the introduction of the ISM Code in 1989, it required a SMSs in each shipping company to prevent accidents.

The Code requires systems to be understandable and user-friendly, but the detailed interpretation is left to classification societies.

Until now, the focus has mainly been on technical and structural requirements, not on how systems actually work in practice for crew members.

Maritime Industry Lagging Behind

Terje Lovoy hopes that ClassNK's stance on simplifying SMSs will contribute to increased safety at sea. He believes that the maritime industry is somewhat behind with its complicated SMSs.

—"These are characterized by cumbersome SMS texts hidden in binders or tangled electronic files that contribute to accidents and near-misses every year. The knowledge is often onboard but not used," says Lovoy.

The most common feedback from sailors:

• Heavy language with difficult words and long sentences
• Sentences that you must read multiple times to understand
• Difficult to find what you need
• Explanations do not follow the order of the job

Procedures were difficult to read on their own, leading to knowledge being transferred verbally, including both good and bad habits, Lovoy explains, hoping that more classification societies will follow suit.

Marine Insurance: Unclear Procedures Contribute to Accidents

It is not just classification societies and shipping companies that are concerned about reducing accidents at sea.

Marine insurance company Gard is familiar with the work of Norwegian Terje Lovoy.

They have used his expertise for training purposes, says Marius Schønberg, Head of Loss Prevention at Gard.

—"Yes, we are familiar with Lovoy and the company's owner, Terje Lovoy. Gard has used Lovoy in training Radio Medico doctors who have written content in the Mariners Medico Guide (MMG). Lovoy has trained the writers in how to write content in a simple and understandable manner. Lovoy has a very good approach to simplifying safety management systems," Schønberg tells Kystens Næringsliv.

—Do you have statistics on how many accidents occur because sailors do not have good enough safety systems/accidents due to human error?

—"We do not have that type of statistics, but generally speaking, in interviews and conversations with sailors, we find that accidents often happen because procedures are not followed. There are several reasons for this. Procedures can be too complicated, inadequate training, or crew trained differently onboard than what procedures suggest," Marius Schønberg adds.