Carnival Cruise Line sails with NAPA Permit to Work

Carnival Cruise Line’s Director FOC, Piervalerio Vignola, explains how one of the largest cruise fleets in the world aims to enhance seafarer safety and streamline safety operations with the new NAPA Permit to Work system.

Piervalerio Vignola, Director FOC, Carnival Cruise Line, says: “NAPA Permit to Work will be a game changer in automating processes and streamlining workflows to ensure the highest safety standards and procedures are followed in a timely manner.  

“Crew safety and welfare are key pillars for our operational and commercial success, which is why investing in our continued digitalization with NAPA was a no-brainer. Embracing these digital technologies gives us the peace of mind that we are upholding rigorous safety standards that protect our crew, passengers and assets.” 

Edited excerpts of the above interview:

The NAPA Permit to Work is a groundbreaking project we’ve developed in collaboration with the NAPA team. This initiative has brought together expertise from shoreside personnel, shipboard officers, and the NAPA team to create a more efficient, digital approach to permit-to-work processes. Our journey began with an extensive series of onboard interviews with officers and comprehensive presentations on our future vision for the project, both onboard and shoreside.

Challenges of current Permit-to-Work process

The current paper-based process of managing permits to work is cumbersome and time-consuming. Officers often have to physically travel from the engine control room to the bridge to get authorization from the staff captain or captain before starting any work. This procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, significantly impacting operational efficiency. Instead of dedicating this time to completing the actual work, officers spend valuable time searching for the right personnel to authorize tasks.

Digital automation: A game changer

With the NAPA Permit to Work, we aim to eliminate the need for manual collection of signatures and automate the entire process. Once the officers complete the necessary safety checks and fill in all the checklist entries, the system guides them to ensure all steps are properly followed. Then, they can simply press a button to send a request to the staff captain or captain for authorization. The staff captain, upon receiving the notification, can review the request, ensure it meets all procedures, and approve it instantly. The officer, whether in the engine room or elsewhere, receives this approval immediately, allowing them to commence work without any delay.

Permit-to-Work digital form for Working Aloft/Overside

Reducing paperwork and enhancing real-time updates

Beyond saving time, the NAPA Permit to Work also reduces paper use by providing a digital, live version of the permit available at all times. Traditionally, crews print an approved permit and keep it on site. However, this approach quickly becomes outdated, especially in dynamic situations like working in enclosed spaces where crews must measure gas concentrations every 20 minutes. By digitizing the process, we ensure that all data is up-to-date, providing an accurate and reliable source of information to maintain safety standards.

By addressing these issues, the NAPA Permit to Work project is setting a new standard for safety and efficiency in maritime operations.