Over the last two decades, rapid growth in the maritime industry has forced many owners to hire younger, less-experienced technical personnel. In response to industry demand, DNV has created a web-based version of the popular Superintendent’s Manual to help improve technical competence.
Known as “Super-Man”, DNV’s online Superintendent’s Manual is a knowledge hub for best practices in shipbuilding and ship operations and provides up-to-date operational, technical and regulatory information for ship superintendents and other marine personnel. The web-based manual contains detailed and comprehensive information related to operational procedures and technical matters, including descriptions of systems and components, checklists, forms and examples of practical solutions and precautions.
A cost effective tool
According to Rolf G. S. Buøen, marketing and product manager for DNV, the web-based manual is a useful tool in the planning, building and maintenance of ships, which adds value to ship managers and owners.
“Super-Man” provides quick access to hands on information and may contribute to reduced downtime and repairs,” says Buøen. “And because it allows different stakeholders to share information, it is an effective tool to streamline communication both internally and with external partners.” Buøen adds that the manual also supports standardised training – a handy all-in-one data bank for both experienced superintendents and a valuable training tool to build competence.
Positive response
“Super-Man” has already been made available to a number of companies, and so far, the response has been positive. “Super-Man” really makes a difference,” says Johnny Hoddevik, Technical Manager of JO Tankers, a Norwegian-based tanker company. “The manual holds a huge amount of data that offers fantastic technical support to superintendents and others working in the maritime industry. We find it useful not only for employees with less experience, but for those with years of experience.”
Buøen is careful to note that while “Super-Man” is a DNV service, it is wholly class independent. “Users will have access information on related DNV services, such as the organisation’s Port State Control Tool Kit, but our goal was to make the service available to all managers and owners, regardless of their class affiliation.”
Building an online community
“With the global launch of the Superintendents Manual, DNV aims at bringing the service to new heights,” says Buøen. “We are developing new functionalities, such as an online forum where superintendents can share experiences and post queries. We believe that by adding social networking functionalities, we can enable an online community for competence and experience that would create value for all participants.”
Buøen explains that the project grew out of a cooperative initiative involving the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) and Norwegian Maritime Advisers (NMA). “The NSA recognised that in the past, the industry was served by a generation of superintendents who started their careers at sea, gaining invaluable technical experience before becoming chief engineers and eventually, superintendents,” says Buøen.
“Many of today’s engineers and superintendents may have strong academic qualifications, but less hands-on practical experience. In the late 1990s, the parties began work on the Super-Man project to collect and preserve and make available the invaluable experience of a generation nearing retirement.”
Accumulated knowledge
The product was developed by a team of highly experienced personnel from recognized shipping organisations, representing accumulated knowledge in steel structures, propeller and vibration, machinery and systems, dry-docking, fuel efficiency and environmental issues, among others. In addition, the organisation worked with many shipping and ship management companies, equipment manufacturers, classification societies (including DNV) and a broad range of maritime associations, research institutions, service suppliers, insurance providers and oil companies to produce the industry’s first and most comprehensive superintendent’s manual.
The NSA and NMA submitted a completed manual that filled six ring binders in 2003. The first edition was an immediate success and in 2007, DNV took over the project and began the work on a web-based edition. With more than 6,000 vessels classed by DNV, the organisation sourced its in-house expertise in a broad range of marine disciplines to develop the manual further. The result is a tool built by superintendents, for superintendents.
Going digital
Buøen says that while useful, the paper edition of “Super-Man” was not optimized for superintendents on site. “We recognized early in the process that a key value of a web-based version was mobility,” he says. “And now that the information is available online, users can access updated information on their laptops, smart phones or other mobile devices - wherever they are. This represents a genuine improvement to the superintendent’s daily work.”
Buøen notes that each user can add notes, links to the sections and share data with colleagues. In addition, users are encouraged to share experience with developers at DNV, improving the manual over time, while DNV can update new information so that “Super-Man” is consistent with new practices and regulations. “Super-Man” is a ‘living’ tool,” he says. “As the industry changes, “Super-Man” will evolve.”
“From the very start, we have focused on the needs of the user,” Buøen says. “We are confident that owners and yards will recognise the long-term value of “Super-Man” and that it will improve efficiency and safety performance throughout the lifetime of the vessel.”