"IMO - Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
- an Attempt to Meet Increased Communication Requirements
to Ships' Officers"
Prof Dr. Peter Trenkner, Technical University Wismar - Germany, Dpt. of
Maritime Studies Chairman of IMO Working Group on SMCP
Abstract: Language communication requirements in international
seafaring have increased rapidly due to various reasons during the past decades. Out of
the 80% to 85 % of shipping accidents caused by the so-called "human element"
about 35% have to be contributed to communication deficiencies, i.e. to the incapability
of ships' officers to render that command of maritime English, the legal language of
international seafaring, required for safer seas and cleaner oceans. With the creation of
the SMCP supported by a suitable legislation for their implementation, IMO undertakes a
new attempt to erode language barriers at sea.
Keywords: IMO-SMCP Maritime English Safety Language
1. Introduction
The definition of maritime English:
Maritime English - that is the entirety of all those means of the
English language which - being used as a device for communication within the maritime
community - internationally contribute to the safety of shipping and organization of the
seaborne business (P.Trenkner).
Enormous expenditure of money, brainwork, etc., has been spent on the
creation of highly sophisticated technical means and procedures to facilitate the exchange
of information from ship to ship and ship to shore ("four S" communication). One
of the highlights in this respect is satellite based communication within the
organizational framework of the widely praised GMDSS.
By far less attention has been paid to the development of language
skills among ships' officers, but lacking a sound command of maritime English ships'
officers cannot make reasonable use of all the technology available. Moreover,
linguistically underqualified officers, either on deck or in the engine room, create a
danger to their ships, crews and passengers, to other vessels and to the marine
environment.
