[QUOTE=CDJ;158219]Well,… there goes the ghetto-hood!
Good evening Captains, The weather forecast is rough and high seas, strong currents and winds. So we need to make our voyage plan and be prepared for a possible storm. Need the crew to inspect all equipments and goods necessary for the trip. Remember: some hard decisions will have to be taken in order we can continue this trip safely.
Well, the intention of this email is to share some decisions that were recently taken in the company. This is part of our job and, day by day, we learn that not only good news make part of our life, but some bad ones too, even that sometimes. And they exist to correct on us some edges, make us more stronger and ready for the new challenges that are waiting for us in the future.
As you can see all of these crisis in the Oil and Gas Industry, all companies are being challenged to reduce and control their costs. Recently, several ideas were raised up in order to keep the good health of the companies business as well as her employees, but in all ideas that were brought up, some concepts had to be reviewed and hard decisions would necessarily have to be taken.
For the FRAC Boats Deepstim Brasil 1 and Deepstim Brasil 2, it was agreed that their manning should be in comply with COI, BR Safe manning, Contract and RN-72. So, It was decided to keep 16 people on board, as follow:
1 American Captain
1 Brazilian Chief Mate
2 Brazilian Deck Officers
3 Brazilian Able Seamen
1 Brazilian Chief Engineer (STCW III/2)
1 Brazilian 1st Engineer (STCW III/2)
2 Oilers
2 Cooks (1 Mex and 1 Brazilian)
3 Stewards (Brazilian)
The transition period to replace the American Chief Mate and American Engineers can take a while, because we still need to hire some qualified / trained personnel to take these positions. I will keep you posted about the progress, but so far, this is the last update that I have.
For those that, unfortunately, will leave us on the next journeys, I can advance that It has been a big pleasure to work with you guys, noble and brave seamen.
If you have any doubts, Estevan and I will be here to clear them for you.
Now, read below the message (translated) from our HR Manager, Mr. Indiomar Selau:
"Dear Captains,
Over the past months, some contracts of some boats in our fleet ended.
Despite the scenario of the economic crisis that we face today in Brazil, especially in the oil and gas industry, since Dec 2014, BRAM is trying to keep on the payroll as much crew member as possible, expecting that new contracts to be signed. However, as yet they were not signed, and BRAM can no longer keep these professionals active in the company.
Last week, the company’s direction, together with the Operations and HR departments, analyzed the every employee’s profile: the experience, licenses and functional history, with the aim of better assess what professionals would be kept in the company.
It is important to clarify that, unfortunately, some good employees will not be kept in the company. For these, we will add in our records an indication for rehiring. As we increase our fleet, we will invite these professionals to return to BRAM.
The professionals who will not be kept in the company will be contacted by the HR team and will receive all support of logistics to complete all legal procedures.
If you have any doubt about the configuration of the crew, please get in touch with the Operations Manager of your boat. They may clear all doubts on this subject.
Kind Regards "
Best Regards,
Jefferson Isaac
Operations Manager
Bram Offshore Transportes Marítimos Ltda - Niterói[/QUOTE]
Is this the case on all of the fleet, or will it vary by each boat’s contract? I’ve been hearing different things from different people including management in Brazil. My boat’s contract is due for renewal in May and from what I gather from the Brazilian manager is that the company will try to keep at least 1 U.S. Capt. and 1 U.S. Chief.