CORPORATE

Issue 56 | March 2019

A publication of
THOME GROUP OF COMPANIES News

SAFETY AS A PRIORITY

WWW.THOME.COM.SG
 News

A publication of the
Thome Group of Companies

16 Raffles Quay
#43-01 Hong Leong Building
Singapore 048581

Tel:
65 6220 7291

Email:
communications@thome.com.sg

Website: www.thome.com.sg

Edited By:
Anna Marie Soliman
Thome Group
Mary Joie Alinas
Thome Group
Sean Moloney
CONTENTS Issue 56 | March 2019
Elaborate Communications
Phil Page
Elaborate Communications

Designed By: A Message from our Group REGULATORY UPDATE

Diptesh Chohan
Elaborate Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 682051
Website: www.elabor8.co.uk
© Copyright – No article may be reproduced
by any means in whole or in part without the
written permission of Thome Group.
2 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019
CEO on Safety 3
THOME WORLD
Safety is Critical to Operations 4 PORT STATE CONTROL
Safety Coaches -
A New Dimension 5
Safety First 6
Safety is Serious Business 7
Thome Group Safety Drives
and Initiatives for 2019 8
Safety Measures to Avoid
Common Minor Injuries 10
The Last Barrier to Hazardous
Materials 12
Keeping Up with Technology:
Thome Group Unveils a New
Look Website and Launches
Two Microsites 14
Viva La Fiesta 16
The Grand Ball 17
HEALTH
Eye Exposure to Harmful
Substances 18
SAFETY
Office Safety - Steps to a Safer
Office 19
Regulatory Update in China,
Taiwan and Hong Kong 20
Failing to Prepare is Preparing
to Fail 21
VETTING
Improved Observations per
Inspection in 2018 22
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
Sewage (Black Water)/ Treated
Sewage and Grey Water: Growing
Concerns and Restrictions 23
CREW MATTERS
An Insight on Safety from
our Seafarers 24
CSR
Spreading Love and Hope 26
Christmas with our Seafarers 26
The True Value of
Christmas 27

A Message from our
Group CEO on Safety:
By Olav Nortun, Happy New Year!
Chief Executive Officer,
Thome Group of ‘Safety’.
not all about following procedures, using personnel protection equipment and conducting risk
assessment. For safety is also a state of mind and our attitude towards safety is just as important.
EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE
Welcome to this first issue of 2019 which concentrates on the very important theme
To feel and be safe is important to all of us whether you are onboard or in the office. Safety is
We must all strive for a safety environment with the aim of zero incidents and zero accidents.
Good safety performance is a key to good operational performance. Incident
and accidents can have a negative effect on individuals and on the company.
Most of our vessels have a good safety record, but unfortunately there are
vessels where we would like the safety performance to improve. That said, a
good safety record today can be ruined by one safety lapse tomorrow. Let’s
make sure safety is on everybody’s mind.
In this edition, there is a very interesting article on common minor
injuries which occur at sea and analysis on why these injuries occur in the
first place and how they can be prevented from happening again.
Using the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equally
important, especially when entering enclosed spaces as so many tragedies
still happen in the world fleet when crew enter an enclosed area without
first taking the proper precautions to prevent serious injury or even death.
Very often in the rush to get a job done, corners are cut and that is when an
accident can happen resulting in serious consequences.
Thome’s senior management has made it quite clear that no job on board
should be performed without a proper risk assessment to ensure that all the
right procedures and safety equipment is in place before the task is allowed
to take place.
To further enhance our safety record, the senior management
at Thome has decided to introduce the concept of ‘Safety
Coaches’. This is a new initiative and so we welcome
your feedback on the philosophy and how it will
work in practise.
We also have news about our new
intranet and I’d like to thank those that
took part in the survey which helped with
this project to improve the look and feel of
our internal communications.
This month has seen us revamp the
Thome website and launch two microsites
concentrating on our ship agency services
and our expertise in marine consultancy.
Please take time to view the new
website at www.thome.com.sg and
the two microsites at https://www.
thomeshipagency.com.sg/ and https://www.
thomemarineconsultants.com.sg and let us
have any feedback by contacting Corporate
Communications.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue.
MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 |3
THOME WORLD
Safety is Critical
to Operations
By Claes Eek Thorstensen,
President & Chief Commercial Officer, Thome Group
Safe and reliable operation is what we focus on as a Company.
It is business critical and we want to ensure that every
employee onboard and ashore are safe at all times.
In shipping, safety must be the priority before any task is
performed, especially when working at sea.
Weather conditions at sea change rapidly so crew must
be vigilant and prepared to ensure that before any task is
performed a proper risk assessment is carried out and
necessary procedures applied to help reduce possible
injuries or accidents.
It is important that we look at our fleet as
a whole and measure, analyse and improve
our performance by tracking our most
common incidents and identify ways in
which they can be prevented from
reoccurring.
In this edition, the
articles are
focused on
safety and
analysis of
the 5 top
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accidents occurring on the fleet. We cover the proper use of
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and why it is important to
comply to these guidelines.
In order to strengthen the focus and to get a consistent
safety standard onboard the fleet, Thome is implementing a
new dimension by setting up a team of Safety Coaches. This
team will develop procedures, implement, perform training and
track KPIs.
We will also outline Thome’s safety drives and initiatives for
2019 to help us focus as a company on key aspects of safety to
help minimise incidents. I encourage everyone to support these
initiatives and to share your experiences with your colleagues,
so our performance is further improved.
Safety in the office is also paramount and should not be
overlooked. Office staff must not be complacent and must
always adhere to our safety policies in the work place. Read
the safety article in this issue and find out how we can further
promote a safer office environment. Most critical being when
boarding a vessel or installation.
Let’s all work together and strive for zero accidents and
incidents in the office and at sea.

Safety Coaches-
A New Dimension
By Ashish Malik, Vice President,
Head of Marine and Safety
As part of a new initiative from the
Thome Group to better the safety
culture and reinforce safety awareness
across Thome’s managed fleet, the
Marine and Safety department will enlist
the help of Safety Coaches.
The Safety Coaches will sail onboard
our full managed vessels to promote
and spread the knowledge on safety
requirements, systems and procedures
among ship staff. They will help identify
any hazardous conditions and/ or work
practices and assist in mitigating them
together with the crew onboard. While we
have taken quite a few initiatives to reduce
personal injuries, work still needs to be
done in this area. Our Safety Coaches will
focus on improving the safety culture on
board, guiding and assisting our seafarers
during their daily operations.
While onboard, during normal
operations, the Safety Coaches
will be able to identify the gaps in
our fleet’s safety awareness as
well as better implement our
Safety Management Systems
(SMS) onboard. In addition
to the above, they will
be able to observe the
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gaps in the current SMS or highlight the
challenges in implementing the SMS
onboard so it can be revised and made
more robust and relevant.
On-board training will form
an important part of the profile
of the Safety Coaches. They
will conduct training sessions
on board, complementing the
competence and training
that has been received by
our seafarers, when ashore.
Training on items like Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE),
and knowledge gained from
incidents and near misses
will also be included.
Safety is part of our
core values so let’s make
sure we live up to it.
MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 |5
THOME WORLD
Safety First
By Jamie Morgan Ramsamy
Quality Assurance Manager
“We are committed to safety”. This is a core value for Thome
Group and as an organisation, safety is one of the highest
priorities. In striving to reach zero for accidents and incidents,
it is imperative that we document incidents and near misses in a
consistent manner.
The Thome Management System (TMS) has set aside TGP
1.2- Occupational Health and Safety, for all safety related
matters for the Group. This is a common section for the entire
Group and ensures that the message of safety is communicated
uniformly and with a single voice. The procedures within
TGP 1.2, and the system as a whole, is certified by DNVGL to
be in compliance with the new ISO 45001:2018 standard for
Occupational Health and Safety. It is important to note that
these procedures are applicable for all Thome Group employees
both at sea and ashore.
Since the launch of the TMS system at the beginning of
2018, procedures have been added to manage infectious
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disease outbreaks, substances hazardous to health and
subcontractor safety. These procedures supplement our
existing systems for permits to work, personnel protective
equipment (PPE), accidents and incidents, risk assessments and
critical equipment management to name but a few.
The Marine & Safety department is responsible for the
review and maintenance of TGP 1.2. This encompasses Master
System Reviews (MSR), internal and external feedback, analysis
of findings, near misses, injuries and compliance with existing
and upcoming regulations and legislation. Lessons that are
learnt from these reviews are fed back into the system to
continually improve our safety culture and promote safety
awareness across the organisation.
TGP 1.2 is the first stop on our journey towards zero
accidents and incidents. Should you require any support
regarding TGP 1.2 or any other document within our TMS,
please contact AskTMS (asktms@thome.com.sg) for assistance.

Safety is Serious Business
By Capt. Anurag Dawar, HSSEQ Superintendent, Group HSSEQ
“There’s an old saying that if you think safety
is expensive, try an accident”
– Dr Trevor Kletz
With traditional focus on safe, reliable operations and
regulatory compliance, we have taken bold steps in our journey
towards safety in operations; drawing meaningful insights from
our past performance to identify the path towards ‘kaizen’
roughly translated as ‘continuous improvement’.
The underlying idea is to benchmark and improve our
safety performance with the ultimate goal of fulfilling our
responsibility of providing a safe and healthy workplace for our
employees; at the same time achieving excellence in the service
delivery to our clients.
The possibility of injury is an inherent risk of working
onboard vessels. Sea going personnel are exposed to some
risks which are uniquely marine – heavy equipment, dangerous
machinery, explosive cargoes, exposure to toxic materials,
vagaries of the sea etc. Personal injury claims traditionally
account for one third of the P&I claims year on year.
Overall the global tanker fleet accounts for 67% of these P&I
claims in value terms while the bulk fleet accounts for 24 % which
is more or less in line with the composition of Thome’s fleet.
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The trend indicates that junior ranks on and the people
physically involved in carrying out the tasks (fitters, able
seaman, bosun etc) are more susceptible to onboard injuries.
This statistic highlights the importance of mentorship and
the role of safety observers. The risks in day to day activities on
board, both routine and non-routine, are effectively covered
by the robust permit to work systems in place on board Thome
Group’s vessels. At the same time, we encourage both our office
and sailing staff to continuously bring up issues of concern
through various avenues and forums, so that these issues are
suitably addressed at the appropriate levels in management to
ensure a safe workplace for all our employees.
Another initiative by the Group is the ‘Safety Moment’.
Trend analyses of fleet injuries are carried out and the most
pressing issues are shared with the entire fleet to improve the
safety performance and to boost the safety culture on board.
Most of the time, the ways to mitigate any injury remain
very simple: keep your hands and feet in sight at all times and
provide proper mentoring and guidance to junior officers.
“Safety starts with Me and
is Everybody’s Business ”
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THOME WORLD
Thome Group Safety
Drives and Initiatives
for 2019
By Capt. Mayuresh Jayade, Senior Superintendent/
DPA, Thome Group Marine & Safety
Embracing safety
Safety is one of Thome Group’s core values within “ExCITES”.
Core values depict our commitment towards safety,
environment and integrity and propel our operations in
absolute compliance to achieve excellence and customer
satisfaction.
In Thome, crew safety is our top priority and we embrace
the safety culture.
Safety performance is measured and analysed against
annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as Lost
Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) and Total Recordable Case
Frequency (TRCF).
Our crew, are our safety ambassadors. The Senior officers
continuously mentor regarding safe working practices.
Thome’s Safety Management system (TMS) comprises
of stringent safety guidelines over and above industrial
recommendations for each task carried out onboard, covering
key safety aspects such as –
√√ Risk assessment
√√ Permit to work system
√√ Office concurrence for critical jobs
√√ Personal protective equipment (PPE) matrix
All crew are empowered to exercise the company’s
intervention policy by issuing a STOPER card when a prevailing
hazardous situation is observed during the task compromising
risk assessment and control measures.
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When the unforeseen happens
Injuries to crew or visitors when working onboard
Thome’s vessels are taken extremely seriously and thoroughly
investigated to identify the root cause.
Investigation of injuries allows us to understand any gaps in
the implementation of TMS which may require further review
of our procedures.
Subject matter experts from the maritime industry have
always emphasized that, based on bitter experience, injuries do
not just “happen” but are “caused”, normally due to the human
element.
A Crew member’s behaviour is an essential factor which can
influence the safe outcome of the task.
It is for this reason that Thome has also adopted enhanced
measures to ensure the safety culture is deeply embedded by
focusing on the human element.
Safety drives and campaigns in 2019
With the human element as the focus, Thome remains
committed in 2019 for the continual implementation of
“Partners in Safety” campaigns together with oil major Shell.
The program is promulgated to all fleet vessels through
HSSEQ circulars and gazettes, aimed to cultivate the highest
safety standards through the following –
√√ Visible and Committed Leadership:
Commitment from the top management of Thome,
where the executive team conducts frequent
vessel visits and participates in sea staff seminars and
safety workshops to bridge the gap between policy
makers and those responsible to implement it in the
office and onboard vessels.
√√ Reflective Learning:
Series of modules that outline the main causes of
incidents to gain a deeper behavioural understanding
on learning using a structured reflective learning
concept.
√√ Learning Engagement Tool:
This tool helps to discuss real life case studies and key
issues relating to critical tasks onboard involving
significant incidents or high potential near misses and

how to prevent recurrence.
√√ Resilience:
The resilience modules aim to enhance our ability to programs as below –
manage everyday problems, both at home and on
board.
All vessels are provided with required training material to
complete the tasks and provide evidence of completion to a
dedicated department for measurement and analysis.
Standardization of PPE
At the end of 2018, Thome’s management successfully
concluded the standardization of Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) across the group, including those shore staff who visit vessels.
A similar standardization exercise was also rolled out for
special tools that require escalated attention in terms of safety,
such as high-pressure hoses and portable gas detection meters.
It is expected that such standardization across the fleet will
help in monitoring PPE compliance, quality of procurement,
ease of crew training and familiarization, as crew is transferred
within different fleet groups and owner pools.
Safety Moment
A newly adopted safety program which covers specific
non-routine critical operations onboard and prescribes a task
with the aim of raising awareness amongst crew on the hazards
associated with such tasks.
One such critical task covered recently, included working
with high pressure jet cleaning devices.
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In addition to the above initiatives, management has also
retained and further improved conventional company specific
√√ Periodic HSSEQ safety gazette: This publication
contains a foreword from senior management
demonstrating their commitment to safety and
internal case studies, analysis of near miss reports etc
to share the lessons learnt.
√√ Seagull CBT programs on personal safety and the
mandatory social responsibility for each rank.
√√ Safety work-shops during sea staff seminars, a
dedicated session where highly interactive discussions
and tasks are planned to assist senior officers in raising
awareness and strengthen leadership qualities.
√√ Collaboration with global training partners and
manning agencies to address specific safety issues and
enhancement of crew knowledge. In 2019, we have
scheduled Advanced Bridge Team Management
(ABTM) to further improve navigational safety
standards.
√√ Annual Safety Day 2019: The Safety Day shall be
conducted in Q3 of 2019 across the global offices of
Thome and all its fleet vessels. In 2018, the Safety Day
theme was “Safe and Reliable Operation”.
The proposed theme for this year is “Use of Innovative
Technology and Digital Revolution in Safety”. More details on
this shall be shared in the near future.
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THOME WORLD

Safety Measures
to Avoid Common
Minor Injuries
By Capt. Chandran Mahalinggam,
Group HSSEQ-Senior Superintendent

All the tasks performed on board come with certain risks to In a leisure period the tendency is for the person to “switch off”
workers physical safety, and when a worker suffers an injury, thinking that nothing will happen. As for maintenance and work
the entire company suffers as a result. Naturally, all companies activities, the way the work is organized and attitudes to safety
want to keep their employees safe. Another reason to can affect the worker’s ability to see or think about where they
implement, and enforce, strict safety guidelines is to reduce lost are going. For example, people hurrying, carrying large objects,
time caused by high injury rates. pushing high trolleys or talking on a mobile phone could contribute
Injuries related to fingers, slips and falls have been the to the cause of a slip or trip. Workers need to be able to maintain
main topics of discussion in the industry. To make matters their balance when performing tasks and be able to recover if they
worse, many slips and falls could have been prevented had slip or trip. For example, when handling loads, workers should have
the employer and/or vessel owner taken proper precautions full view of where they need to travel and should also have a free
beforehand. In general, the most common reasons for these hand to hold onto a rail when walking down steps.
types of injuries include: When someone slips on a vessel, not only do they slip on a
slippery surface but may also fall against numerous hazardous
√√ Slippery, wet surfaces materials, equipment and cargo which could lead to further
√√ Loose lines and cargo injuries. The most common injuries sustained after a maritime
√√ Unmarked obstructions slip and fall include:
√√ Lack of guardrails, barriers, or safety nets
√√ Equipment that was improperly secured √√ Sprains on the ankles and//or wrists
√√ Inadequate lighting √√ Torn ligaments
√√ Improper vessel planning, including high points lacking √√ Knee injuries
safety guards, loose ladders, and improper angles and √√ Head, back, neck, and shoulder injuries
inclines for stairs and stairways √√ Back injuries
√√ Insufficient safety training
√√ Lack of non-skid paint and/or non-skid surfaces Finger Injuries
√√ Failure to establish proper housekeeping procedures The most common cause of these injuries was blunt trauma,
aboard the vessel followed by injury from a sharp object. Hand injuries can be
divided into 5 general categories:
The majority of these causes could have easily been
prevented with the proper safety measures, better training, and 1. Lacerations (cuts),
better equipment maintenance. The unfortunate fact, however, 2. Fractures and dislocations,
is that some companies and employers tend to cut corners in 3. Soft tissue injuries and amputations,
areas of safety in order to save money, which leads to injuries 4. Infections,
that should have never happened. 5. High pressure injuries (grease and paint guns).

Common Injuries from Maritime Slip and Fall Accidents Other common finger injuries include
In the maritime industry, a slip and fall accident frequently • Nail injuries.
occurs during a leisure period or during a maintenance period. • Finger infection.

10 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019

 THOME WORLD

Common Reason Behind the Injuries
Human error has long been regarded as contributing to
the majority of incidents in the shipping sector. Injury causes
are due to lack of situational awareness, lack of competence,
knowledge and ability, human fatigue, workload, manning,
complacency and risk tolerance.
the link in maintaining a safety and quality culture to work towards
attaining zero incidents and accidents.
Together we should strive to attain excellence. Simple
human carelessness really does cause enormous amounts of
human misery and heavy claims.

Preventing these Injuries

• It’s crucial to establish a culture of safety, a robust
system which includes Tool Box Meetings, Risk
Assessments, Stopper Cards, etc.
• Each time a new process, piece of machinery, or worker
enters, you should conduct a risk assessment.
• Occasional refresher courses in training and
operational Unannounced ship visits will give a clear
indication of on-board personnel approach towards
safety.
• Put in place the appropriate controls.
• Walk around the ship with hazards very much in mind
and try to firstly identify them and secondly devise the
appropriate controls.

Conclusion
Safety is a serious business. Diluting safety will end up with
severe consequences. This includes complacency and human error.
The type of safety system in place, plus the attitude and character is

MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 | 11

THOME WORLD

The Last Barrier to

Hazardous Materials
By ZhiKang Chan, & Tarun Puri,
Operations Executive, Operations Superintendent,
Tanker Operations Tanker Operations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the last barrier of
protection against hazardous materials so having practical as
well as safe PPE has been a priority for us, as our vessels carry
various types of hazardous cargoes.
Last year, we undertook a project to identify the main types
of exposure for the cargoes we carry. After this exercise, various
PPE were evaluated on their ease of use and effectiveness.
The appropriate PPE for each cargo were then identified and
evaluated based on their ease of use and effectiveness. Several
improvements in our PPE selection were implemented and
these changes were notified to the fleet in December 2018 and
amended in our HSSEQ procedures.

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 THOME WORLD
Evaluation of Hazards
Under cargo specific PPE procedures, Thome has identified cargo specific and operational hazards relating to health, and
minimum PPE to be worn, which has been illustrated in below example:

Selection of PPE
Thome has also introduced a guidance chart for the selection and use of PPE that covers 5 different levels of Protection (LOP),
according to certain combinations of PPE.
Level 1 is for exposure to the highest risk and Level 5 for exposure to the minimum risk of health hazards:

R means required and C means can be considered.

Standardization: PPE and Vendors √√ 2-piece splash suits for chemical tankers– Improves
We worked closely with our purchasing department to ventilation, relieving heat stress and reducing chances
standardize various PPE to ensure improved quality. In addition, of rashes.
we upgraded some crucial PPE and gas detection equipment to √√ Type approved bump caps for use in the engine room.
make them more practicable and user friendly. We have a list √√ All the above were included in our new procedures.
of approved vendors for most of the PPE to ensure consistent
quality. A few examples are: Ensuring Compliance
Thome Tanker operations has included summary of
√√ Lightweight Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus specific PPE required in Cargo Operation Plan. This is filled by
(SCBA) for chemical tankers – Made with fire glass responsible officer on board ships prior commencement of any
cylinder weighing only 4.5kg, instead of the usual cargo operation and signed off by all deck crew and officers.
13kg, reducing fatigue during long usage. Below extract has been take from Cargo operation form for
√√ Continuous toxic vapour detector units – e.g. quick reference.
Eagle II and GX 6000 which allow continuous Most importantly, it must be noted that PPE does not
monitoring of surrounding air for toxic vapours during reduce the hazard posed by the cargo, it only provides the last
cargo operation and tank cleaning. barrier against the hazard. The effectiveness of this barrier will
√√ Anti-static boiler suits for tankers– Allows dissipation be lost if the PPE is used incorrectly or is of the wrong type or is
of static electricity hence safer during cargo defective!
operations. Safe sailing!

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THOME WORLD

Keeping Up with
Technology:
Thome Group Unveils a New
Look Website and Launches
Two Microsites
By Josette Emily De Jesus,
Corporate Communications and Marketing Associate,
Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd - ROHQ

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In this digital age where every piece of information is accessible
with just one click on the Internet, it is all the more important
for a company to have a good website. A website can help a
business grow through increased online visibility and credibility,
as customers, partners and stakeholders are able to check
information 24 hours a day anywhere, anytime.
The Thome Group, as a fully integrated marine service
provider offering complete range of products is excited to
announce the launch of its two new microsites in coordination
with IT, Corporate Communications, Ship Agency and Thome
Marine Consultants (TMC).
The microsites contain detailed information about Ship
Agency and Marine Consultancy Services . The goal is to
provide clients and potential clients useful and in-depth
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information about the services we can deliver, the range of
our reach and other updates through articles and newsletters.
The microsites will also serve as an avenue for both clients and
potential clients to communicate with us through our inquiry
and “contact us” page.
In addition to the Ship Agency and TMC subsites, the
Thome Group is also proud to introduce the improved Thome
website with a new look, fresh design and innovative features
that has been created to enhance the Thome experience.
The Ship Agency, Thome Marine Consultants microsites and
Thome Group websites can be viewed at:
www.thomemarineconsultants.com.sg
www.thome.com.sg
www.thomeshipagency.com.sg
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THOME WORLD
VIVA LA FIESTA
By Jamie Morgan Ramsamy, & Ruth Beh,
Quality Assurance Manager Senior Insurance Executive
Thome’s Annual Dinner & Dance in Singapore celebrated the
efforts of the past year with a Latin inspired theme called “Viva
La Fiesta” which means “Long Live the Party”. When we have
worked hard over the past year, we intend to party hard as well
and 2018 was no exception.
The Fullerton Grand Ballroom was the venue for this
year’s event and it was filled to the brim with 318 people in
attendance. In addition to our staff, we were privileged to have
representatives from the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF)
join us for the celebration.
At the event, guests were welcomed by a roving Mariachi
band which drummed up the fiesta mood for the evening. Guests
were additionally treated to authentic Spanish Flamenco dancers
who opened the event.
Olav Eek Thorstensen, Claes Eek Thorstensen and Olav
Nortun reflected on 2018 and set the expectations for the
New Year. This segment was concluded by the presentation
of SGD 25,000 raised by Thome to the CCF, which was
16 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019
followed by several Long Service Awards to colleagues,
some of whom have completed more than 20 years with
the company! It was indeed a wonderful start to the event.
After a sumptuous themed dinner, activities commenced
with our colleagues hitting the dancefloor with their Latin
inspired outfits. Those who attended went above and beyond
the normal expectations of creativity and this made the
selection of the best dressed person significantly more difficult
than previous years.
The excitement continued to build with mass participation
activities and this led up to the final Lucky Draw segment with
many winners walking away with fantastic prizes.
Celebrations continued well into the evening.
We’d like to thank the organising committee for their
efforts throughout the year in planning and executing
this event for our colleagues. As we continue to work
hard this year, we look forward to celebrating our efforts
once more.

The Grand Ball
By Orly Lirio Magnata, Marketing, Communications
and Planning Officer, TSM Shipping (Phils.), Inc.
TSM Group and Thome ROHQ’s grandest and most anticipated
event of the year - the annual Christmas “Dinner and Dance”
Party was held at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel
last December 20, 2018.
Dubbed “The Grand Ball”, over 300 employees gathered for
a night of dance, conviviality and glamour. Everyone walked the
red carpet with poise, grace and confidence as they channeled
their inner Kings and Queens!
Every year, the Dinner and Dance Party , recognizes the
hard work and commitment of TSM Group and Thome ROHQ
employees – loyalty awards are given to thank employees who
have been with the company for five years and beyond.
Apart from honoring them, their talents are also highlighted
on the dancefloor with a traditional dance competition
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that never fails to get the crowd grooving with stunning
performances.
The Grand Ball, which was part of TSM Group’s 30th
anniversary celebration, also paid tribute to one of the pillars
of Thome ROHQ, Captain Ivar Thomasli who has served as the
company’s Managing Director for over a decade.
TSM Group Chief Executive Officer Ian R. Garcia took the
opportunity to extend his deepest gratitude to TSM Group and
Thome ROHQ employees who were instrumental in making
TSM Group one of the top manning agencies in the Philippines.
“To be successful in this business, you have to be surrounded by
the best people - each of us has played an important role in this
journey – SUCCESS. Let us hope for the best and continuous
growth in the years to come,” he shared.
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HEALTH
Eye Exposure to
Harmful Substances
Contributors:
* Textbook of Maritime Medicine
**Better Health Channel “Workplace Safety – Eye Injuries” /
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Safety 4 Sea article Posters on Seafarers Eye Protection
Protection of the eyes is critical while working on the ships.
Various shipboard jobs such as handling of noxious substances
such as oil, chemicals and solvents, and other mechanical works
such as welding, chipping, painting pose a great danger to the
eyes of the seafarers.
Most minor cases are treated onboard, however the
most serious incidents have long term and devastating
consequences. Eye protection is a paramount aspect of
seafarer health and safety and one of the most important
elements in any vessel safety management program
In order to prevent eye injuries, it is imperative to ensure
that the appropriate safety eyewear is worn wherever a risk
of an eye injury exists. Seafarers can greatly reduce the risk
of an eye injury by wearing appropriate eye protection that
minimizes exposure to injurious liquids, chemicals, particles,
or other substances which might pose a hazard if they are in
direct contact with the eye.
Some of the common eye injuries and its immediate treatment*
Blunt Trauma
A blunt trauma, which might frequently happen on board,
may lead to haematoma of the eye lids which is easily visible.
Only in severe cases a compression bandage for 1 – 2 days
is indicated. Broken bones in the vicinity of the eye require
medical assistance as soon as possible
Defects in the cornea
A direct trauma to the eye may lead to superficial defects
of the corneal epithelium (the most external layer of corneal
cells). This condition should be treated with a light compression
bandage for at least 24 hours. If pain continues, ointment or
drops contained in the medical chest should be applied.
Penetrating injury to the cornea
A penetration of the cornea can be diagnosed by means of
a good pocket lamp by looking for irregularity of the pupil (not
perfectly round) or dislocation of the iris (prolapse). This can be
observed by looking directly into the eye.
Foreign bodies
Sometime, e.g. working with a drill, foreign bodies might
enter underneath the lids, or onto the cornea, sometimes
causing pain. The foreign body can be located by turning the
lids. This is done by pulling them off the eye at the eye lashes.
Once located, the foreign body can be removed by the use
of e.g. a cotton swab (Q-tip). If the foreign body is located on
the conjunctiva (outside the cornea), ointment or drops and a
compression bandage for 24 hours are helpful.
Red Eye
Sometimes without an external injury eyes may get “red”,
18 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019
which means an abnormal filling of the superficial conjunctival
or deeper scleral vessels. This may be caused by an internal
inflammation due to germs or viruses from inflight to general
circulation. The local type of such an inflammation is called
“iridocyclitis” with in the beginning can be treated by drops,
containing antibiotics as well as corticosteroids.
If an accident occurs, and an eye is exposed to harmful
materials or substances, it will only take seconds for severe
injury to occur. Taking immediate action to thoroughly flush the
harmful substance from the eye with clean and cool water is
the first step of first aid treatment. Accordingly, it is important
to maintain emergency eye wash stations ready for use should
such an incident occur.
Always Wear Eye Protection**
According to Safety 4 Sea, eye injuries are among the
most commonly occurring to seafarers, we must be aware
of essential eye safety measures. Estimates suggest that
about 90 per cent of chemical burns to the eye are avoidable.
Wear eye protection every time you handle liquid or powder
chemicals. Prescription glasses or sunglasses do not provide
reliable protection, because the loose fit allows liquids or
powder to splash behind the frames.
Appropriate safety gear is the best way to reduce your risk
of injury. Options depend on the job, but may include:
• safety glasses – look similar to regular prescription
glasses, but have shatter-resistant lenses, stronger frames and
side shields. However, safety glasses do not seal against the
face, which means liquids may splash or run into the eyes. Safety
glasses may be an option if the risk of splash is low or if the
liquid is non-toxic
• safety goggles – are made from smash-resistant
materials and seal against the face. Some styles of safety
goggles are large enough to be worn over the top of
prescription glasses
• face shields – offer maximum protection against
splash injury. In some cases, safety goggles are also worn. Face
shields are recommended when handling dangerous chemicals,
such as corrosive liquids or powders, cryogenic fluids or
biological materials
As safety is the main thrust and focus of Thome, our
seafarers are always reminded to wear the correct Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) when undertaking tasks onboard
at this will lessen the likelihood of having eye injuries onboard.
Appropriate googles or protective equipment should be worn
while carrying out such jobs.

Office Safety –
Steps to a Safer Office
By Ms. Ðeni Jukic Miljak, Admin
Executive, Thome Croatia d.o.o.
A safe work environment is essential for the wellbeing of
employees. Being aware of hazards in the workplace and
learning office safety tips goes a long way toward preventing
accidents.
The Thome Group endeavors to achieve health and safety
excellence in all aspects of its business and we are committed to
zero accidents in the workplace. No task is so important that it
should be allowed to compromise health and safety.
There are several areas that are constantly under the
magnifying glass related to a safer office environment. Slips and
falls are the most frequent cause of injuries in the workplace,
and people working in an office are twice as likely to be injured
by falling than those working in other types of businesses.
One of the biggest factors in this type of injury is where
workers use unsafe ways to reach objects in high places.
Employees who need to access objects on high shelves or in tall
SAFETY
cabinets should use step ladders. Desks, tables, and other types
of furniture are unsuitable substitutes for ladders.
Another contributor to trips and falls is the clutter that can be
found next to desks, in hallways, and anywhere else that seems
to be “out of the way.” A worker who is focused on a task may not
look down and notice the hazard in time to prevent a fall.
Filing cabinets and desk drawers that are left open are also
potential hazards that may injure unsuspecting workers. Simple
solutions like refraining from reading documents while walking
will help minimize the risk of tripping up to nearly zero.
Employees are encouraged to report incidents and near
misses to management.
Keeping alert, thinking ahead, using basic common sense
in our daily behavior around the office will help minimize risks.
The safest workplaces are those in which every single employee
knows about office safety.
MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 | 19
REGULATORY UPDATE
Regulatory Update in China,
Taiwan and Hong Kong
By Sean Hutchings, Chief Technical Officer
The year 2018 saw a constant flow of new regulations
introduced in the maritime industry and 2019 appears to be
following the same pattern. Below are the two of the latest
regulations introduced by China, which came into effect on 1
January 2019.
Domestic emissions control requirements in China, Taiwan
and Hong Kong
• China: From 1 January 2019 vessels must switch to fuel
with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% prior to
entering China’s territorial sea. Other key dates up to
2020 are:
o From 1 July 2019 vessels, other than tankers
capable of receiving shore power, should use shore
power.
o From 1 January 2020 vessels entering Inland ECAs
(Yangtze River and Xi Jiang River) must use fuel with a
sulphur content not exceeding 0.10% while operating
within the Inland ECA.
• Taiwan: Ships not fitted with scrubbers must burn fuel
with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% when
entering its international commercial port areas.
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s current “Fuel at Berth
Regulation” requiring ships to burn fuel with a sulphur
20 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019
content not exceeding 0.50% while at berth, will be
replaced by a regulation extending the standard to
ships operating in Hong Kong waters. Ships not fitted
with scrubbers will be required to burn fuel with a
sulphur content not exceeding 0.50% within Hong Kong
waters, irrespective of whether they are sailing or at
berth.
China Regulation on Data Collection for Energy
Consumption of Ships
Ships of 400 GT or over or powered by main propulsion
machinery greater than 750 kW of propulsion power calling at
a port in China, should report energy consumption data of their
last voyage to the China MSA before leaving a port. Monthly
reports can also be submitted in lieu of single voyage reports
subject to following conditions:
• Ship is sailing in a fixed region and the time underway
per voyage is 4 hours or less; or
• Ship is sailing on fixed route and the time underway per
voyage is 12 hours or less.
The designated web-based data collection platform is
currently only available in the Chinese language, so those
vessels not crewed by Chinese personnel are advised to report
the data through the local agents.

Failing to Prepare is Preparing
to Fail By Mayuresh Jayade, Senior Superintendent / DPA,
Thome Group Marine & Safety
Statutory inspections by law enforcement authorities of sovereign
nations takes precedence over any commercial inspection regime.
In fact, in some of the maritime cases within global tanker
trade in 2018, it was noted that an unsatisfactory Port State
Control (PSC) inspection with a detention or significant number
of observations can result in the rejection of that vessel by
charterers and oil majors for commercial purposes.
The emergence of new IMO regulations in recent years has
led to increased focus on crew qualifications, crew contracts,
working/living conditions, ballast water management and
MARPOL Annex VI – Prevention of air pollution, which was also
subject of Concentrated Inspection Campaigns (CIC) in 2018.
The Thome Group has always reckoned PSC performance as
one of the business-critical indicators which makes it a subject of
frequent measurement, analysis and review by the executive team.
In 2018, we had set the target KPI of 1.0 observation
per inspection and, as a Group, we achieved 0.95 which is
praiseworthy and demonstrates our continual efforts in the
effective implementation of our TMS and excellent team work
between our shore-side teams and vessels.
As for the enhanced action plans for critical ports based on
geographical analysis, we shall continue to provide additional
guidance as summarized below to vessels calling at ports in the
USA, Australia, China, Canada and Rotterdam -
PORT STATE CONTROL
• A port specific checklist developed using DNVGL PSC
planner exclusive to the vessel calling at that port as
an aid to identify areas to focus and verify status of
readiness.
• Sharing of past observations from the Thome fleet to
understand the general trends and avoid repetitions.
• Weekly monitoring of status of preparation and
updates to the executive team.
• Telephone conference calls with senior officers on-
board
To strengthen our PSC preparation process, effective
December 2018, we have rolled out a new concise checklist for
the use of masters and chief engineers. The checklist serves the
purpose of physical operational checks prior to arrival at each port
on most detainable items based on industrial statistics.
A dynamic crew PSC training presentation covering
“DOs and DONTs” has also been developed which shall be
updated every quarter with new data and global PSC trends.
Crew training shall be carried out once every 2 months
along with a screening of 3 sets of PSC DVDs as refresher
training so that every new joiner is made aware of the
importance of PSC and his/her role in achieving a
“clean” PSC.
MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 | 21
VETTING

Improved Observations
per Inspection in 2018
By Steen Madsen,
Chief Operating Officer, Tankers

The SIRE inspection has been used as a tool by oil majors to
assess the risk of carrying their cargo and it has served them
well. With a new line of equipment coming in and increasing
threats like cyber security, SIRE is also continuously improving
to meet the industry’s changing requirements.
On 17th September 2018, OCIMF released its new version-
VIQ-7. The new version covers recent regulations in force like
Ballast Water and majorly focuses on maritime security.
At Thome, we consider the SIRE inspection as a great
tool for enhancing our company core values of Safety &
Environment. In 2018, Thome underwent 393 inspections
which generated 1028 observations at an average of 2.63
observations per inspection, well below the company KPI of
2.70. One of the factors leading to the rise in observations per
inspection during the last quarter was the implementation of
the new VIQ.
We believe that a flawless safety process and
environmental performance can only be achieved by a fully
focused crew, assisted by shore-side staff, and all parties being
committed to rigorously and diligently following procedures
and industry best practices.
We all have a responsibility to manage risk as part of our
roles, be that technical, operational or financial. Identifying,
assessing and managing the risks is key to our operational
integrity. We, at Thome, believe that operational integrity can
be achieved by following our company’s core values “ExCITES”.
All personnel onboard and ashore are reminded to follow
our company’s core values, mission and vision.

22 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019


Sewage (Black Water)/ Treated
Sewage and Grey Water:
Growing Concerns and Restrictions
By Bindu Shekhar Jha, Compliance Manager
Sewage (also called black water) and grey water has recently
had renewed focus due to MARPOL Annex IV and VGP 2013.
The prevailing stringent requirements of some of the No
Discharge Zone (NDZ) ports such as the Panama Canal/ Black
sea ports / Turkey / China- Yangtze River/ US-NDZ ports, such
as California-Washington, etc have the following rules:
• No discharge of raw/treated effluent from an Sewage
Treatment Plant (STP)
• No discharge of grey water in NDZ ports. Minimization
of grey water generation.
• Retention only in approved and designated holding tanks.
• Colonial Compliance Systems International (CSI) for US
ports and agents for other NDZ ports to be confirmed
with any such requirements.
Challenges for a vessel call to such NDZ ports:
• No holding tanks designated and piping for storing
of sewage/ treated effluent from STP / grey water.
Or designated tank too small in capacity. Extended
anchorages.
• Maintenance of STP not as per manufacturers
recommendation. No evidence/ records.
• STP wiring tampered with to indicate “ON”, while off.
Programmable Logical Controller (PLC) failed & no Flag
information.
• The hoses for adjusting air flow for the sludge sewage
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
return not transparent
• Incorrect dosing of the chemical for STP. No
appropriate tablets. Modification of STP / piping.
• Testing of STP effluent not done or incorrectly done or
incomplete records.
• Once holding tank is full, it cannot be discharged unless
vessel is out of port limits (12 N-miles)
Recommendations: Since a lot of ports have started
implementing stringent disposal requirements, the following
should be considered to mitigate this growing challenge:
• Holding tank and its associated elements to be
designated/ proposed for holding grey water and
treated effluent in such port calls
• Class to be approached well in advance for necessary
temporary/ permanent approvals to store such
effluents and grey water
• Phosphate free soaps and detergents to be used
• Due diligence to be exercised for having alternative
arrangements, such as below, in case of holding tank getting
full due to extended anchorages and vessel in NDZ ports:
o Propose alternative holding tank (e.g. Aft Peak/
Cofferdam etc) and temporary/ permanent piping
for storage to get Flag/Class approval
o Arrange barge to off-land the content
ECD can be contacted at environmental.compliance@
thome.com.sg and can be approached for any guidance.
MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 | 23
CREW MATTERS

An Insight on Safety
from our Seafarers
By TGN Editorial Team

Every seafarer who leaves for work should expect to return
home safely because human loss is immeasurable and
intolerable hence investing in safety risks and precautions says
a lot about a company. The management should, therefore,
devote time to think and strategize the things that are required
in their company, onboard every vessel and every seafarer to
make sure that they are equipped with the right knowledge,
skills and equipment to be safe all the time.
Thome Group, as a ship management company having more than
12,000 seafarers, makes sure that its seafarers are provided with
the right tools, knowledge, skills and mindset to perform their
duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to ensure the welfare
of all crews onboard through continuous training, conferences and
seminars. Some of our seafarers have given us their opinions on
what safety is for them, the safety practices they use in their field
of work and their safety message for their fellow seafarers.

Question 1:
What is safety and how does it impact your work as a
seafarer?

“Safety is the lifeline in every mariner’s life. Safety does not mean
wearing PPE only. It means how we react in an emergency situations
thus every individual should be familiar with the use of lifesaving
equipments.” - Anil Kumar Khichar, Engine Cadet

“Safe working practice helps in living a healthy life without any

losses which could be personal, environmental & property. Safe
practice leads to prevention of accidents, harm, danger, damage, loss
& pollution and also improves working conditions.”
- Aadil Ahmed, Junior Engineer

“ Safety is taking care of yourself towards work, doing

the work that is given to you with full understanding,
putting all of your heart and mind into it
– Darwin I. Santos, Chief Officer
”
‘‘Safety is part of our daily life, whether onshore or
onboard the vessel, always think of safety. Prioritize
and do not let your guard down when it comes to safety
because safety always starts with us”
– Ronaldo B. Garcia, Chief Engineer

24 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019

 CREW MATTERS

Question 2:
Please cite a safety practice that you demonstrated in
compliance with safety rules on the vessel?

“Being the safety equipment maintenance officer onboard, I ensure

that all safety equipment is well maintained, functional and operational
at all times. Readiness of the safety equipment plays an important role
with regards to the safety of everyone on board. I check, inspect, exercise,
test, lubricate, maintain, arrange, update, clean, report and discuss with
the safety officer onboard or even the master, all safety issues and see to
it that all our safety related matters and equipment onboard, including
posters and IMO symbols, are good enough to optimize our level of safety
and readiness whenever unexpected events does happen. That is why
ensuring the safety equipment is not only my job but a responsibility
shared by the company, the ship but also my fellow seafarers and the
loved ones ashore” - John Eric P. Robejes, Third Officer

“One of my favorite shipboard activities is the mooring operation.

Prior to commencing, the officer in charge provides the teams involved
with a detailed briefing of the task. Throughout the operation, all
crew members ensure that the other members of the mooring
party are not standing in dangerous areas. Mooring equipment
inspections, maintenance and testing is done regularly and prior to
every use. Any damaged, defective or otherwise unserviceable piece
of mooring equipment found is taken out of service immediately.”
- Nathan Farrugia, Deck Cadet

“Considering the safety of my crew and the extreme

weather conditions, I did not hesitate to stop the vessel
port departure. As a master, I have an overriding authority
and made sure to prioritize safety of life, safety of the
ship property, and safety of the environment taking into
consideration our ship and other vessels in the vicinity
– Capt. Joseph V. Sortigosa, Master
”

Question 3: “All of us are subject to mistakes and flaws and we get

What message do you want to impart to your
fellow seafarers regarding safety work practice?
“We, as seafarers, have the responsibility to ensure that we
safeguard not only our own safety, but also of all the other
crew onboard. Life at sea is hectic and most of the time, it
requires us to work over and above our working hours but
that extra push from each one of us is keeping us safe at sea.
Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice
it so let’s not take life for granted. Coming together is a
beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together
is success. Safety is the engine, and you are the key that
starts it.” - Nathan Farrugia, Deck Cadet
tired. However, it is never an excuse to take our work for
granted because one way or another, it will affect all of us; our
own selves, our fellow crew, the company, and our families
who are waiting for us to come back home. We must be safe
and not neglect what our minds know and never compromise
safety for ease.” - John Eric P. Robejes, Third Officer
Demonstrating safety onboard vessels as part of a
seafarer’s duties and responsibility not only benefits the
company but can also save the lives of their fellow seafarers.
Safety is a very important factor that affects all elements
of the maritime industry and a mariner’s life, so that is why
safety is a big part of a company’s success and excellence.

MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 | 25

CSR

Spreading Love and Hope

By Ian R. Garcia, CEO, TSM Group

The TSM Group conducted its 11th annual Food Drive for the
patients of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC)
last December 13, 2018. The company regards this charitable
undertaking as one of its most important CSR activities every year
as it heralds the arrival of Christmas.
With grateful hearts, we distributed eco-bags full of
groceries that brought smiles to the faces of JRRMMC patients
and their families. As expected, we did not fail to make them
feel blessed in spite of what they were going through - it was
fulfilling to make them happy with our simple act of kindness.
Christmas is truly the time of the year when we see more
reasons to share our blessings. The TSM Group always finds
joy in spreading good vibes and hope, no matter the season,
through various activities that support its strong initiative
to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities. We are deeply
humbled by the fact that the TSM Group has been very
supportive of humanitarian organizations during its existence
which spans more than 30 years.

Christmas with our Seafarers

By Mary Ann Mariano, Executive Secretary, TSM Shipping (Phils.), Inc.

Amidst the hype of the holidays, the TSM Group was able to
spend days of fun activities and gift-giving with its valued
seafarers from Metro Manila and the provinces – Iloilo, Cebu
and Davao.
Each gift-giving activity was well-attended and it allowed us to
strengthen our bond with our seafarers and their families. To make
it extra special, we decided to add some twists to the activities that
we had prepared for them – unexpected production numbers from
the TSM Group’s employees, exciting games and the unplanned
“I Can See Your Voice” segment performed by talented Manila
seafarers. Everyone was amazed at how they delivered their own
renditions of their favorite songs. Gift-giving with our seafarers
has been part of our company’s Christmas traditions for the past
five years.
2018 was a great year for the TSM Group. It values the
outstanding contributions of its seafarers who have been
working hard for the company. They are the ones who are
making the biggest sacrifice not only for their families but also
for the whole country.
While we were busy organizing and attending Christmas
parties, reunions and other gatherings last month, we were
also thinking of those on ships – especially our seafarers who
celebrated Christmas and New Year away from their loved ones.

26 | ISSUE 56 | MARCH 2019


The True Value
of Christmas
By Mary Joie Alinas, Corporate Communications and Marketing
Senior Executive, Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd. – ROHQ
“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.
It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self
and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and
stressing the true values.” - Thomas S. Monson
This year, the Thome Group initiated another Christmas Charity
drive where we sell Christmas Train Décor to office staff, business
partners, friends and family. All profits from the sales are for the
benefit of the abandoned children at the SOS Village Foundation in
the Philippines. The SOS Village Foundation is an organization that
provides long-term family-based care to children in need.
We were able to accumulate a total of Php102,000 or
SGD 2,600 and this was handed over to Ms. Janine Baluyan,
CSR
the International Donor Services and Communications
Officer of the SOS Village, Manila. According to Ms. Baluyan,
this donation will truly help meet the children’s’ daily needs,
medical assistance and education that will help them to
be self-reliant, responsible and a contributing member of
society in the future.
We are thankful to all who participated in this Charity Drive. The
Christmas trains that you purchased are a symbol of the true value
of this holiday season. Thank you for making this event successful
and for giving the abandoned children the gift of happiness and love.
We hope for your continuous support for the next Thome
Group charity project!
MARCH 2019 | ISSUE 56 | 27
THOME GROUP (HO)
16 Raffles Quay, #43-01 Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581
Tel: (65) 6220 7291
Fax: (65) 6225 1527
Email: communications@thome.com.sg
Website: www.thome.com.sg

ThomeGroup