“The Chain - Awareness and best practices in the nautical chain” was reviewed by Port Strategy magazine which said:  “Today’s rapid turnaround of ships in ports has impacted on every one’s ability to swap experiences.  In the past there were many people with a nautical background, now there are fewer and fewer, on board as well as ashore. Vessels crews are no longer always familiar with the port or terminal due to a huge turn-over of crew, diminishing degree of experience in general and an increased spot market, resulting in calling at many different ports. This upheaval has put a chink in the nautical chain – one that the EHMC is keen to straighten out.  Its fix is to improve communication and awareness.  Such awareness will lead to a better knowledge of everyone’s day-to-day work when receiving a vessel in a port, to a better mutual understanding and a better understanding of the common interests in optimizing the functioning of the maritime chain.”

This two-part video by the European Harbour Masters' Committee is a joint production by all those who are key to the business of bringing ships into port (the nautical chain) - harbour masters, agents, pilots, tugboat captains, boatmen, ship masters, hydrographic offices and terminal operators. For the first time a film will give an insight into the key roles of the nautical chain.

The aim of these vidoes is to strengthen the chain by creating greater awareness of each other’s jobs, sharing best practice and gaining a better understanding of the impact of individual operations. This way each participant can strengthen its own link in the chain and, by better co-operation, make the whole chain stronger. We believe that this will result in a safer, smoother and more efficient voyage from berth to berth.

'The Chain' is an initiative by Captain Ben van Scherpenzeel for the European Harbour Masters’ Committee. For comments or questions about the video please contact Scherpenzeel.ehmc@harbourmaster.org.