The Critical Role of Maritime English in ensuring guest safety and satisfaction

Maritime English has emerged as the standard for communication at sea, facilitating clear and precise interactions among crew members, between ship and shore, and across multinational teams.  

Communication is crucial for making informed decisions quickly, particularly in emergencies. The ability to communicate effectively in Maritime English ensures that all crew members understand safety protocols and can respond appropriately to various situations. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, potentially resulting in accidents and jeopardising crew safety. In emergencies, the ability to comprehend orders, convey instructions and share information quickly and accurately amongst the team and with guests can be the difference between life and death. Thus, Maritime English proficiency is not just a skill but a safety imperative in maritime operations. 

Efficient operations rely on seamless coordination among different departments on a cruise ship. Maritime English facilitates clear communication between departments such as housekeeping, dining, entertainment, and guest services. This coordination ensures that guest requests are fulfilled promptly and accurately, contributing to a smoother and more enjoyable cruise experience. It ensures clear communication, consistent service standards, cultural sensitivity, operational efficiency, and professional interactions, all of which are essential for delivering a high-quality guest experience, guest satisfaction and ultimately contribute to customer and employee loyalty.

 The Role of Maritime English in Recruitment 

The ICS Marlins Test of English for Seafarers is a vital tool for assessing the Maritime English proficiency of crew at all levels and parallel tests are available for cruise hotel personnel. These tests help recruiters identify candidates who possess the necessary language skills to perform effectively on board. Ocean Technologies Group has developed standards of proficiency in Maritime English, which have been recognised by flag states and adopted by ship operators. These standards support global maritime education and recruitment by creating objective benchmark levels of proficiency per rank, providing a clear framework for assessing your team’s language skills. This is crucial as the International Maritime Organization’s Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) does not define specific language proficiency levels. The Marlins test has filled this gap by defining these levels and setting an industry recognised benchmark, helping educators, employers and flag states ensure that seafarers possess the necessary language skills for their respective duties. 

PHOTO: OCEAN TECHNOLOGIES GROUP

Reducing Costs and Risks 

Hiring crew members with inadequate Maritime English skills not only poses risks to safety, but it can also be costly even if the problem is identified. If a crew member is deployed and is then found to be unable to perform their duties due to language barriers, the cost of repatriation and replacement is significant. Additionally, communication failures can lead to operational inefficiencies too. By ensuring that all recruits meet a certain level of Maritime English proficiency, shipping companies can mitigate these risks and ensure smoother operations.  

However, it is not only new recruits that benefit from English language assessment, it is equally crucial to re-test crew members before promoting them to higher ranks, as language skills do not necessarily improve with time in rank. The higher the rank, the more critical the language and communication skills become, especially for senior deck and engineer officers.

As the Cruise industry continues to scale, Maritime English proficiency is more important than ever. From ensuring safety and operational efficiency to supporting the delivery of exceptional guest experiences, strong Maritime English skills are indispensable. The Marlins English Language Test plays a crucial role in assessing and enhancing these skills, helping the industry build resilient, competent, and cohesive teams. As we navigate the future of Cruise operations, investing in language training and assessment will be key to achieving sustainable and successful outcomes. 

To find out more about how Ocean Technologies Group and the Marlins English Language test contributes to Cruise excellence click here