Simple wisdom for complex times: Five lessons from a long maritime life
Hansen is a man with saltwater running through his veins. After heading to sea at an early age, he became the ninth generation of sailors (on his father’s side) to rise to the position of captain, before going on to forge a high-profile career with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Over almost 25 years with the industry leader he transitioned from ship to shore, climbing through the organisation to a number of executive level positions. Hansen eventually ended up as SVP Maritime Operations, taking a keen interest in enhancing safety, security and efficiency for NCL’s iconic global fleet.
His passion for continual improvements and innovation brought him into close contact with NAVTOR.
Here he outlines five of his key learnings from a very long (and exceptionally happy) maritime career
1 Try everything
“If I could… I’d do it all over again!”
Hansen has “no regrets whatsoever” about the course of his career. From a 16-year old deck boy, to captaining seismic vessels, and working on the bridge of the world’s largest cruise vessel (in 1987 this was the SS Norway, where he was first officer…and met his wife!) Hansen has ‘been there, done that’ on the seven seas.
He believes his wealth of hands-on operational experience prepared him perfectly for life looking after vessels and fleets onshore, giving him a ‘real-world understanding’ of everyday scenarios and crew perspectives.
He encourages everyone to take the opportunity to “stand on deck” and is particularly fond of his early memories of cruise ships: “it was such a harmonious environment… a mini United Nations that actually works.”
2 Keep it simple
Hansen says the thing that first won him over to NAVTOR is the key to success in almost any technological field – make the complex simple for the end user. Devices such as iPhones, he states, are the perfect example of this.
He says he initially wasn’t interested in NAVTOR as NCL had an ENC system and strategy that “worked very well.” He was won over when he agreed to trial a NavStick with Pay As You Sail ENCs and the product arrived.
Hansen describes how he was expecting a “500-page manual” and a product that the team on the Norwegian Sky (the trial vessel) would have to work hard to get acquainted with. In reality, he got a plug-and-play USB, instant access to every chart his fleet would ever need and a ‘manual’ that was simply three ‘how-to’ pictures.
“I thought at first it was too good to be true!” he remembers.
It wasn’t. Within a short time the entire NCL fleet transitioned to NAVTOR.
Simple, powerful, easy-to-access benefits, he underlines, are the key to success in most fields, particularly maritime technology.
3 Listen and act
When you get valuable feedback, you need to act upon it, not ignore it (or let others get the opportunity to act on it before you do). This is true on deck, or in the office, and is particularly relevant to suppliers like NAVTOR, who must know their end users and their pain points inside out.
Again, Hansen has fond memories of NAVTOR’s response to NCL feedback. He says “many things that we suggested”, in terms of product refinements, were quickly followed up on and implemented. And again, with reference to the previous point, the solutions were usually simple (at least for the end users).
Hansen says he’s “hoping for more of the same” with the advent of S-100 - taking the complexity of the new standard and translating it into straightforward, powerful benefits through optimal smart shipping technology.
4 Secure skillsets
Hansen reveals that when his vessels first started using ENCs “we kept all the paper charts active for a very long time as a backup,” just to be on the safe side. It was, he explains, natural scepticism for “old school” seamen.
However, he adds that it preserved valuable skills and helped maintain confidence when it came to navigation. This, he believes, is still relevant.
Rather than just relying on technology, we should all understand how to operate without it – an argument probably very relevant in today’s classrooms the world over. This is especially true in an era of geopolitical uncertainty with increased GPS jamming, spoofing and cyber-attacks.
“Secure infrastructure that builds confidence for the user”, like NAVTOR’s, is hugely important, but, he stresses, “it’s so important not to forget the basics!”
5 Stay humble
A piece of advice Hansen offers that is as relevant for life outside work as it is within it: “stay humble”. In fact, he says with refreshing candour, as you climb the ladder “get even more humble… always work hard, listen to your team and never be afraid to ask questions!”
Hansen himself has always tried to “understand workloads… and make sure co-workers are not overloaded” while daring to “ask others for suggestions” rather than trying to pretend he knows better, whatever his position.
Maybe that’s been the key to his success? His humble, open nature?
It could be… but some of his final advice is just as telling, about both the man and his achievements.
“In general, try and treat your job as a hobby… and have fun with it!”
It seems that, since the age of 16, Hansen has certainly enjoyed his fantastic hobby.
Bjørn Ove Hansen now runs Hansen Maritime Consulting LLC. You can connect with him here: LinkedIn
You can see his full interview, with our very own Timo Essers, e-Navigation Director, below:
