The marine consultants’ bag of tricks is, by nature, limited. There is only so much you can carry with you and this is normally limited to one Tardis-like backpack.
You should have an idea of where your attendance will be and any limitations you may have; weight limits for aeroplanes/helicopters, security aspects for the client (no cameras/memory cards?) or safety issues with pilot ladders while wearing a backpack (DO NOT WEAR A BACKPACK WHEN CLIMBING OR DESCENDING A PILOT LADDER!), to name a few. This will all need confirmation before you leave your house or office.
Your safety equipment (PPE), data recording equipment and additional specialist equipment as required for the work scope will all need to be carried with you. Once you arrive on-site you cannot generally pop to the local store to pick up something you forgot, nor can you rely upon the asset having a store of the correct equipment you can use. Again, foresight and planning are required. (see “Part 1: Planning”)
Complete a risk assessment, even if only as a mental exercise. What’s the consequence of dropping/breaking the equipment while carrying out the inspection? What additional risks are there for carrying the equipment? Is the equipment so mission-critical that I should carry a spare? Or use something else as a replacement? (smartphone?) Can I use the equipment onboard? (Explosive atmosphere?)
In our opinion the core equipment a consultant must carry would include:
- PPE – The most important stuff. Being safe means you will continue being able to work and provide for you and your family. Do not skimp on this. The minimum required would be stipulated by your contract or the safety regime of the client. However, consider at least having a hard-hat, safety-toe boots/shoes, safety glasses, gloves (as required), hearing protection (if you are going in high noise environments) and so forth. Buy equipment that meets the most stringent cliient requirements, that will then cover you for most attendances you will conduct.
- Camera – Digital camera with memory card, charger, spare battery etc. (See “Part 6: Photography” post)
- Notebook and pen.
- Mobile/Cell phone, with sufficient data allowance and international coverage if you travel.
The above is not much to carry, and you could probably carry out most inspections just using these basic tools. This would not likely provide the best quality of deliverables to the end client, and you would run the risk of missing key points in the inspection process onboard without a checklist, pre-printed template or aide-memoire, it’s rather embarrassing having to contact the captain post-inspection to ask more questions you should have captured when in attendance.
Some additional equipment we recommended:
- Laptop or high-spec Tablet with office apps pre-installed.
- Backup device for example an external hard drive, memory stick or similar. A large capacity memory stick is normally preferred as these are waterproof, We have washed them in our coveralls by accident and they still work when dried out.
- The ability to use your mobile/cell phone as a wi-fi hotspot to allow data access to your laptop/tablet to backup to the cloud if required.
- UHF/VHF radio.
- Chargers and the correct cables for all equipment.
- A ruler or tape-measure, preferably a metric one.
- If you wear reading or prescription glasses have a spare pair.
- Permanent marker, paint marker, liquid chalk or similar and extra ball point pens.
- Business cards (if you are in a part of the world that still uses them,) otherwise have a signature in your email that attaches your contact details digitally, or know how to add your digital card to messages.
- Additional PPE – Custom ear-plugs, prescription safety glasses, sunglasses etc.
- Additional electronics/tools as required – Voice recorder, gas analyzer, sound meter, laser range finder, light sensor etc.
The list above could go on for pages, as you gain experience and suggestions from others you will add and remove items. But, do you really need to take the kitchen sink for a one-day attendance in your home port?
Maybe you’re a technophobe? Pre-print your inspection template for completion on board. Collect the data however you can, just ensure you collect quality data. The IT industry uses the saying “Garbage In, Garbage Out” (GIGO) and that applies here.
Of course, you will need a bag to carry all of this in. Select a backpack or messenger bag that fits your style. Ensure it can spread the load, is comfortable to carry and has a secure handle to have a rope tied to it and dragged up the side of a ship, and just in case you missed it; DO NOT WEAR A BACKPACK WHEN CLIMBING OR DESCENDING A PILOT LADDER! Consider how you travel and for how long, can you use it for hand-carry on a flight? Will It carry your PPE and a change of clothes for a weekend? Does it need to?
We would suggest at least having your essentials in your hand-carry luggage. Spare underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste etc. Checked bags still go missing even with the modern tracking system.
Quality & Multi-Tasking Equipment
You should always go for the quality, named brands of PPE if you can. There’s a reason they are more expensive, normally as they have a QC and testing system to ensure you get something that will last and protect you. The materials are of better quality and guaranteed. (There might be a comparison to the marine consulting industry here!)
Your PPE will need to meet minimum standards, ANSI ratings, ISO standards or similar. Ensure they have the correct markings that are fit for purpose and ready for use. Check your gear when packing, repacking or after any maintenance. It does not provide a good impression if your safety equipment looks worn out.
Maintain and replace your equipment regularly. That is not to say you need a new camera or laptop annually. Your safety glasses will become scratched, your camera battery less effective, boots wore down and so on. There’s a finite life to your equipment. Looking after it will ensure it is ready for use when you need it, extending its life and usage.
In our experience we have averaged about two years use from a camera, six months from safety glasses, three-plus years from a laptop (buy a high-specification one to start with), one year plus for safety boots, hard hats maximum of four years (Hard hats should be replaced 5 years after manufacture). Follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for safety equipment
Do not modify your safety equipment. Mounting a flashlight on your hard hat with rivets is a no-no. Plastering stickers all over your hat may look cool but can hide flaws. Look professional and well maintained and the crew will potentially treat you with more respect and listen to what you say, and not just because you hold the clipboard.
Gizmos and Gadgets
We have also found that trying to reduce the amount of equipment you carry by using one gizmo, gadget or tool for multiple tasks can backfire. They seem to be “OK” at each task, for example, your smartphone taking photos, notes, measurements and completing the report. While it can do all this, when it comes to pulling that data into a suitable report format, you could find that you are battling different operating systems, formats, programs etc. It’s better to have specific equipment for specific tasks where those tasks are critical. (photo, report editing, saving data etc.)
Just imagine if you drop your phone, that’s ALL the data potentially gone. A corrupt memory card in your camera could mess things up. Your laptop could just crash. There’s no warning for these things happening, and with planning (risk assessment) and maintenance, you should be safe and able to complete and provide a high-quality inspection.
Links to equipment we use and can recommend.
Shop around and do your own due diligence prior to purchasing.
- UHF/VHF Radio – We use Baofeng UV-5RA – Programmable with marine and private UHF frequencies. Comes with charger etc. Cost effective and there’s less guilt if you drop it.
- Baofeng programming usb cable – Use this to easily program your radio with the various frequencies using the free CHIRP program, this has the marine frequencies already available as a download..
- Charging cables – We generally use Anker cables as they are reliable and sturdy.
- Battery power – This is a USB C power delivery brick. It can recharge a surface pro laptop/Macbook, your phone, anything.
- Power brick when you have mains power available – 110-240v input. GaN type (smaller and more efficient) USB-C PD output up to 100W, enough to charge almost anything. The link shows one with the travel adapters.
- Memory cards – Use good quality, brand named ones. We have good experience with SanDisk or Samsung. Do not go for the massive storage/no-name/cheap ones as they are likely fake.
- Large capacity USB Memory stick – Waterproof, drop-proof, washing-machine resistant. The Samsung bar is good (washing machine tested) Avoid no-name or unbranded units claiming massive storage, these are likely fake and will fail, taking your data with it.
- Personal gas monitor – A two-year calibration on these units. You can check this with cal-gas when on board a vessel if you feel the need. Cost-effective for peace of mind if you enter enclosed spaces.
- Flashlights / Torch – Peli offer Zone 0 flashlights (Ex rated) so you can use them on tankers etc. Again, going for the highest rating on safety equipment means you can use it almost anywhere, certainly for most marine applications. If you know you are not going to an explosive atmosphere then a regular flashlight should be fine.
- Custom molded earplugs – Use code THANKYOU10 or WELCOME10 for 10% off. You may be able to get 15% or more off with other codes like 20MADEBYYOU or WELCOME100.
- Scandia Gear – Marine PPE suppliers. Very good fire retardant tropical coveralls. Good looking gear. Ability to put your name on a velcro strip and uniforms for those long attendances where you need to look smart. Customer service from the Houston office is excellent.
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The products listed are what we use to conduct our inspections and surveys, we do not link to items we have not used.
Aluciant does not promote or advertise anything without having used it ourselves.