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76 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ? SEPTEMBER 2013 in turn accept that same responsibility down to the cap-tain through the deck hand. All of the new technology helps, from the electron-ics to the alarms to the sensors that measure vapor lev-els, but all of the technology in the world doesn?t re- place taking personal responsibility for making safety a priority, starting at the top. You can delegate authority, not responsibility. We think safety is not only the right thing to do, but it is also great business.Kirby historically has been a driver for consolida- tion. Is there more room for consolidation? I think it is probably good for transportation safety that you have a more professional approach to the business. It?s a very entrepreneurial business, which makes it great. It is sometimes very hard to pass that down to the next generation. I think it is going to con-tinue to consolidate; I think we?ll continue to consoli-date. I have said that I think that we can get close to 40% of the market in both the inland and the offshore market. We?ve been as high as 35% on the inland busi- ness (based on the number of vessels).You have spoken often about the value of the people who work for the company. What do you do as a company to attract and retain the people that you want? Regarding the boat organization, what we?ve found is bringing people in early, taking them through our training process, and showing them how they have a career here, paying them fairly and being consistent. That?s the secret to retaining them. You want them from the start and to be a part of your team forever. With our on-shore staff, we don?t have a lot of turnover. For the most part they stay with us, and it?s important to com- pensate them fairly. People need to feel like you are be- ing fair with them.The amount of training required for the mariner has ramped up steadily over the past decade. What is the value of your in-house training facility? The only signi Þ cant outside resource we use is the Seaman?s Church Towboat simulator in Houston. We use it, but it?s our instructors that teach. I think if you The Workboat Edition ? KirbyOne of the things I?ve talked to our management team about is ?if you can?t explain it so the average person can understand it, that probably suggests that you don?t understand it.? USCGF to Honor PyneThe Coast Guard Foundation said that its 33rd an-nual Salute to the United States Coast Guard will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2013 in New York City. The event honors the bravery and heroism of U.S. Coast Guard members across the country and pay special tribute to Joseph Pyne of Kirby Corpora-tion for his strong support of the Foundation, and its programs and projects that beneÞ t the Coast Guard and its service members. ?Mr. Pyne and Kirby Cor- poration have answered the call to support the Coast Guard Foundation for more than 30 years,? said Anne Brengle, president, Coast Guard Foundation. coastguardfoundation.org MR #9 (74-81).indd 76MR #9 (74-81).indd 768/30/2013 10:27:35 AM8/30/2013 10:27:35 AM
