Videotel, a KVH company, has developed a new program aimed at teaching crew aboard a vessel how to work together as a cohesive unit regardless of nationality differences.
Ships’ crews today invariably include seafarers serving onboard from many different nationalities and while this mix of cultures can bring great benefits, it can also have the potential to create misunderstandings and possible disharmony due to a lack of awareness of differing cultural values.
Called Working with Multinational Crews…It’s a Cultural Thing!, the Videotel program features seafarers from eight different nationalities who ‘role play’ a range of typical onboard scenarios. The program includes an accompanying workbook.
Language issues are addressed where basic unfamiliarity can lead to confusion and even dangerous misunderstandings, putting crew safety at risk. This is often further complicated by people, in some cultures, not always saying what they mean.
The program also covers the importance of understanding that body language, gestures, hand signals, and postures can mean entirely different things to people from diverse cultures. The various ‘role plays’ examine the assumptions we make about others based on our own upbringing and values.
The workbook contains further information about the topics covered in the program with notes on how best to run the training session.
Working with Multinational Crews…It’s a Cultural Thing! is available through VOD (Videotel On Demand), VOD Online, DVD and e-Learning CBT, with an accompanying workbook.