KVH Film Considered for Maritime Safety Award

“The Human Element,” produced by KVH Media Group under the TRAININGlink brand, is a finalist in the “Safety at Sea” category of the Seatrade Awards.

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) is pleased to announce that its 2013 film “The Human Element” has been selected as a finalist for the “Safety at Sea” category in the prestigious Seatrade Awards. Established in 1989, the Seatrade Awards recognize those in the shipping industry who have demonstrated innovative solutions for safe, efficient, and environmental operation, and whose actions are in keeping with the goals and objectives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Chaired by IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, the judging panel will announce its final decision at a gala dinner on April 14, 2014, in London.
 

“The Human Element” is a training resource consisting of a film and accompanying training documents developed to encourage seafarers and shore-based marine staff to consider their decision-making process and the effect that their decisions have on their vessel, their colleagues, and their business. Both industry and academic reports over the years have pointed to human misjudgment as being a factor in a high percentage of maritime incidents; so important is the human element that the IMO adopted a resolution acknowledging “the need for increased focus on human-related activities in the safe operation of ships.”

“We hope this film will encourage everyone in the industry, from the engine room to the boardroom, to take a look at how they and their colleagues behave and think,” says Chris Young, KVH’s maritime training producer. “Our aim is to encourage better understanding and teamwork, regardless of your position in the maritime world. Being shortlisted for this prestigious award is a testament to those who worked so hard to turn this difficult objective into such a successful reality.”

Inspired by the book “The Human Element,” which was published in 2010 by the U.K. Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the film project spanned three years of work involving the MCA and their partners, BP Shipping, Teekay Marine Services, and the Standard P&I Club. The film was co-produced with London-based Pukka Films using a script co-developed with the book’s authors Dik Gregory and Paul Shanahan of GS Partnership.

“The Human Element” was originally released under Headland Media’s Walport brand. Subsequently, Walport became TRAININGlink following KVH’s May 2013 acquisition of Headland Media, renamed KVH Media Group, which is a leading provider of commercially licensed news, entertainment, and training content to the maritime industry. TRAININGlink provides fleets around the world with an excellent range of maritime safety training videos to support the regular onboard training of the modern seafarer. KVH Media Group’s other brands include MOVIElink and TVlink (formerly known as Walport Entertainment on Board), which provide new-release Hollywood movies and television programs to merchant vessels; and NEWSlink, which provides digital newspapers for merchant vessels and cruise ships.