Ordinary Seaman Mc Cartney Bulawan shares his experience during their Buddy System campaign onboard Bow Odyssey. Read on to learn more about the lessons on safety, instructions, decision-making, and feedback through the recently concluded Buddy System campaign on Odfjell vessels.
Working onboard a vessel is never an individual task; it is a collective effort where safety depends on discipline, coordination, and accountability. Among the many tools used to ensure safety and operational excellence, one practice stands out: the Buddy System. This system emphasizes mutual responsibility, ensuring that no one is ever left alone when handling critical and hazardous work.
Recently, Odfjell conducted a structured training program on the Buddy System, with three modules, each with role-playing scenarios. The modules were designed not only to refresh knowledge but also to allow the crew to practice practical applications of communication, decision-making, and feedback.
The first module, Impactful Instructions, centered on the importance of clear and effective communication. Instructions that are vague or incomplete often lead to confusion, delays, or even unsafe actions.
The goal was to emphasize the value of breaking tasks into simple steps, sequencing them properly, and checking for understanding. Role plays were conducted across departments, each one simulating typical operations to practice instruction-giving under pressure.
Deck Cadet Fritz Laurence Maglajos is still at the early stage of his seafaring career. His fresh perspective makes him sensitive to the impact of proper guidance and communication. He shared his intakes on module 1 of the buddy system.
“In our department’s role play, I handled a scenario involving giving instructions during tank cleaning. At first, I thought short commands would do, but then I realized that if I simply said, ‘Clean the tank,’ my buddy might not know which tank or what specific task to focus on. That could be dangerous. So, I practiced giving step-by-step instructions, like, ‘Start cleaning the tanks according to the sequence. Start with port list, then move to the starboard list after I give the signal.’ This way, my buddy knows exactly what to do.”
He also mentioned what resonated most with him:
“The line, ‘Be clear, be specific, be polite, break down tasks, use sequencing words, allow questions, check for understanding, provide extra information, and provide feedback’ really stayed with me. On deck, this is critical because a small misunderstanding can lead to accidents. Clear instructions mean safety, not just efficiency.”
For Cadet Fritz, the buddy system means more than communication:
“I learned that I am not only responsible for my work but also for ensuring my buddy’s safety. If my instructions aren’t clear, then I’m putting him at risk. That’s not acceptable in deck operations.”
This insight reflects Odfjell’s core value of being professional: skilled, dedicated, compliant, and always prioritizing safety through proper communication.
With communication reinforced in Module 1, the training shifted to the next challenge—decision-making. After all, even the clearest instructions are only useful if paired with sound judgment in difficult situations.
The second module focused on decision-making in challenging or unexpected situations. Crew members often face moments when they must choose quickly between different actions. These decisions are influenced by their knowledge, training, attitude, and presence of mind. The activity presented real-world conditions where decisions made under pressure had significant consequences, testing both judgment and teamwork.
“Our role play was about a situation in the engine room where the cadet ended up alone during watch. When an alarm came up, he quickly acknowledged it without understanding it was critical, and the engine stopped. For me, this was very realistic. I’ve seen situations where people act too fast or panic under pressure,” said Motorman Venerando Compuesto.
Motorman Compuesto has years of hands-on experience in the engine department. His role has exposed him to high-pressure scenarios where calmness and quick thinking can make the difference between smooth sailing and major technical problems.
He shares: “The quote that stuck with me was Choose SAFETY. YOU have a CHOICE. You are the MASTER of your ATTITUDE. Choose the better way, the safer way. That line is true because in every situation, we always have options. The cadet in the role play had the option to call for help, but he didn’t because he panicked. That made things worse. It reminded me that staying calm and making the safe choice is always better than rushing.”
He emphasized how this ties to the buddy system:
“The biggest mistake was that the cadet was left alone. No one should be left alone in the engine room. Even if it feels like nothing is happening, you never know when a critical alarm will sound. The buddy system is there exactly to prevent this kind of scenario.”
This clearly echoes Odfjell’s core value of being proactive: showing the right attitude, assessing risks, and prioritizing safety at all times.
Once the crew reflected on how critical choices shape safety, the program moved to its final focus—feedback. Communication and decisions are only as strong as the culture of openness that supports them. That’s where constructive feedback plays a vital role.
The third module: Friendly Feedback, was about feedback and communication within the team. While giving feedback is a normal part of life onboard, it can often be poorly delivered, leading to demotivation or even tension among crew members. This session introduced the SBI (Situation–Behavior–Impact) technique as a structured way of providing feedback without blame or assumptions, ensuring that the focus stays on improvement and teamwork.
“For our activity, we had to practice giving and receiving feedback using the SBI method: situation, behavior, impact. At first, I thought it was going to be awkward, but once I tried it, I saw how much easier it is to give feedback this way. When I gave feedback, I focused on describing what actually happened, not on assumptions or labels. And when I received feedback, it didn’t feel like an attack—it felt like guidance,” said OS Mike Gerald Merencillo.
OS “Boss Mike” (fondly called onboard) is known among the crew for being approachable and easy to work with. His perspective on feedback is shaped by his belief that good teamwork depends on honesty balanced with respect.
He continued:
“I believe in the quote ‘Be honest, be sincere, be kind’ and it made a big impact on me. Usually, when we correct someone onboard, it sounds harsh or commanding. But when you’re honest and sincere, and you add kindness, the person actually listens. It’s not about being soft but it’s about caring enough to correct your buddy properly.”
In addition, feedback and the buddy system go hand in hand:
“If we give feedback in the right way, we’re not only improving our buddy but also protecting the team. That’s real teamwork. Honesty and kindness make us stronger as a crew.”
This reflects Odfjell’s value of being innovative, seeking improved solutions not just in operations but also in how the crew supports and uplifts one another.
The buddy system is more than just pairing up; it’s about accountability and trust. In every module, whether giving instructions, making decisions, or providing feedback, the common thread is that no one should be left alone. Each person must look out for one another.
The core value that stands out is being PROACTIVE: assessing risks, sharing knowledge, and prioritizing safety. If everyone adopts this mindset, they protect not only themselves but also the entire operation.
The Buddy System training was not just a classroom exercise; it reflected real-life challenges at sea. Through scenarios, role-playing, and guided discussions, the crew learned how to sharpen communication, strengthen decision-making, and deliver constructive feedback.
These modules proved that safety is not just about procedures—it is about people. As Odfjell’s mission states:
“Our core business is handling hazardous liquids—safely, sustainably, and more efficiently than anyone else in the industry.”
By practicing the Buddy System, every crew member contributes to this mission, ensuring that operations are carried out not only efficiently but also with the highest regard for safety and teamwork.
