1.1 Introduction
According to Wikipedia (2021), seamanship is the art of operating a ship or boat. It involves topics and development of specialized skills including: navigation and international maritime law; weather, metrology and forecasting; watch standing; ship handling and small boat handling; operation of deck equipment, anchors and cables; rope work and line handling; communications; sailing; engines; execution of evolutions such as towing; cargo handling equipment, dangerous cargoes and cargo storage; dealing with emergencies; survival at sea and search and rescue; firefighting (Wikipedia, 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
According to Wikipedia (2021), Seamanship is the art, knowledge and competence of operating a ship, boat or other craft on water. It involves topics and development of specialized skills including: navigation and international maritime law; weather, meteorology and forecasting; watch-keeping; ship-handling and small boat handling; operation of deck equipment, anchors and cables; rope work and line handling; communications; sailing; engines; execution of evolutions such as towing; cargo handling equipment, dangerous cargoes and cargo storage; dealing with emergencies; survival at sea and search and rescue; and fire fighting (Wikipedia, 2021).
The degree of knowledge needed within these areas is dependent upon the nature of the work and the type of vessel employed by a mariner. A fundamental skill of professional seamanship is being able to maneuver a vessel with accuracy and precision. Unlike vehicles on land, a ship afloat is subject to the movements of the air around it and the water in which it floats. Another complicating factor is the mass of a ship that has to be accounted for when stopping and starting (Wikipedia, 2021).
Ship-handling is about arriving and departing a berth or buoy, maneuvering in confined channels and harbours and in proximity to other ships, whilst at all times navigating safely. Two other types of operations, berthing alongside another ship and replenishment at sea, are occasionally included. A key ability for a ship-handler is a good understanding of how the wind, tide and swell, the passage of other vessels, as well as the shape of the seabed, will affect a vessel's movement, which, together with an understanding of a specific vessel's performance, should allow that vessel a safe passage. Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or waterskiing. It is a popular activity, and there are millions of boaters worldwide. Boating activities are as varied as the boats and boaters who participate, and new ways of enjoying the water are constantly being discovered (Wikipedia, 2021).
Therefore, in Port Harcourt where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Problems affecting seamanship and boat handling in Nigeria.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals that Seamanship or Boating problems have a way of showing up when an individual least expect them, and the Boat problems don’t come much more alarming than turning your ignition key and hearing nothing. The majority of small boats make use of mechanical cable shifts, where the linkage could become physically stuck. Inspect the gearbox for a detached transmission housing cables and reconnect this (Mywestshore, 2021).
Alternatively, if your cable has become stuck with rust or dirt, you can manually jiggle it free. The problem might be a failed transmission unit. Boat uses an e-link control, there’s a good chance the problem is a simple fuse replacement. Boat problems you could face, not being able to steer is one of the worst. If you turn your wheel and it is either locked or simply does nothing, you’re going to want to make a few rudimentary checks (Mywestshore, 2021).
Water Rising: When your bilge pump begins straining under its workload and your boat feels heavier than usual, an individual might be taking on unchecked water (Mywestshore, 2021).
Corrosion might be at the heart of your problem, and this could require some simple clean up. Beyond that, you’ll need to consult your parts manual or get in touch with a professional. A fairly common problem, this is often the end result of filter issues or plugs which have become gummed up. In any conversation about boat problems, the dreaded broken drive belt is one most owners are going to run into at some point. The overheat light lights up, or your voltage meter indicates that the alternator has stopped charging, and you’ve got a problem. As with so many other components in any vehicle, a malfunction of this sort could always be a bum fuse. Failing this, the issue might be hydraulic in nature. Luckily, trims are built with a hand operator function for just this kind of situation. Locate the trim release valve, usually near the base of the overdrive or outboard. Open this screw to release the loop’s pressure, and manually tilt your drive. Damaged prop blades can throw off the streamlining of your boat as it cuts through the water. Check your prop for even minor distortions, as well as objects snagged in the blades (Mywestshore, 2021).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Problems affecting seamanship and boat handling in Nigeria using Port Harcourt as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were set out as follows:
- To examine the Problems affecting seamanship and boat handling in Onne Seaport,
- To examine the challenges and prospect of seamanship and boat handling in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
1.5 Research Questions
The following questions were laid out to investigate the Problems affecting seamanship and boat handling in Port Harcourt:
- What are the problems affecting seamanship and boat handling in Onne Seaport?
- Is there any significant difference between seamanship and boat handling?
- Does Seamanship enhance maritime industry in Onne Seaport?
- Does boat handling increases productivity in maritime industry in Onne Seaport?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There is no significant difference between seamanship and boat handling in Port Harcourt
- H1: There is significant difference between seamanship and boat handling in Port Harcourt
1.7 Significance of Study
The social needs for seamanship and boat handling in maritime transport has to do with how it helps in solving human problems, especially with regard to operational industry modalities, recreational transformational Linkages and business transactional exchanges, as well as the movement of goods and services across African Continental borders within the operational confines of the law that has to do with fraudulent sharp practices, industry negative vices syndrome narratives and operational abuses that are second to none as the case may be, of which Nigeria cannot be insulated from it.
Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Problems affecting seamanship and boat handling in Nigeria using Port Harcourt as a case study. The study is limited to Onne seaport in Port Harcourt.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
