In Internet there are many examples of using ChatGPT for Python coding, data processing, math. The AI is known for its ingenuity as well as for its extraordinary "creativity". As any tool it has own realm of advantage, and scope of limitations. Nevertheless, it is a powerful tool closely mimicking human to human interaction backed up by a huge knowledge base. Why not to consider it for the crewing process?
Human beings are finite in their knowledge. They cannot know everything about their jobs, despite the job description's saying the opposite. Especially for those who gain experience in a new field.
One can agree that junior inexperienced ranks make rather many mistakes in their learning curves. This way they get mature. Although at a cost, which for a business process may be considered just a loss in the short term. A loss in efficiency and an 'installment' into a cumulative loss for the enterprise.
Productive use of an AI can be considered another way of clearing doubts, getting a 'third party' opinion.
Being a
consultant, I see the use of the AI as if engaging an assistant who knows much. From the AI I need getting support, often in a form of a substantiated summary.
I would like to provide an example of how ChatGPT had already helped to clear confusion in the line of crewing process (hiring a seafarer) communication regarding sufficiency of a ship particulars data.
There was a product tanker position open for a professional with the previous ships' experience in so called "COP" pumps. Ambiguity arose in interpreting what type of the pump system is hidden under the abbreviation COP.
Client's executive, who did not understand the difference much, insisted on hiring the right experience. The receiving side, who got request for the COP profi, could not understand if the data was enough and sufficient. Doubt was expressed to the Client. Provided clarification stated that COP stands for the "centrifugal oil pumps" used on oil tankers, not a Framo or a Marflex system used on chem tanker vessels. Questions to the Client's clerk, whether the abbreviation actually stands for the "cargo oil pump turbine" (should had been described COPT), did not clear the situation.
Attempted googling brought to surface many references without giving any coherent answer: just loads of text and videos, which described different types of pumps used on tankers.
Processing the technical information definitely was not the fastest way for a non-technical operator. Making a conclusion required a consultant confident in the field. Such a consultant could be also an AI. We tried it out, and in this question obtained sufficient 'consulting' support within just few minutes.
Below is my dialogue with ChatGPT clarifying the doubt about "COP":
Human: In the ship particulars it is said that the type of the Cargo pumps on a product oil tanker is "COP". How can we decipher the abbreviation? What is the type of the cargo pump?
AI: COP stands for "Centrifugal Oil Pump". It refers to a type of cargo pump commonly used on product oil tankers to transfer liquids such as crude oil or petroleum products. Centrifugal oil pumps use a rotating impeller to increase the velocity of the fluid, which is then converted into pressure by a volute casing to move the fluid through the pump.
Human: Then what is the driver for the COP: is it the steam turbine, Framo hydraulic system, Marflex electric system, any other?
AI: The driver for a Centrifugal Oil Pump (COP) can vary, and the specific type of driver depends on the ship and the pump system installed. Some common drivers for COPs on product oil tankers include:
- Steam turbine: This is a type of driver that uses steam to power the pump. It is often used in older ships or in ships with steam turbine propulsion systems.
- Framo hydraulic system: This is a hydraulic drive system specifically designed for use with cargo pumps on tankers. It utilizes hydraulic power to drive the pump, making it a reliable and efficient option.
- Marflex electric system: This is an electric drive system that uses an electric motor to power the pump. It is a popular option on modern ships due to its reliability and ease of maintenance.
So the abbreviation COP does not determine the specific type of driver. The actual driver used would be specified elsewhere in the ship particulars.
The above explanation received from AI was enough to remove doubts and to convince the hesitents that "COP" was not a sufficient description in the requirements for the open position. One can see that AI returned to me the same phrases I used like "Steam turbine", "Framo hydraulic system", "Marflex electric system". The AI understood what I wanted from it and responded the correct way.
The dialogue became really an encouraging experience of using ChatGPT for our processes. Try it out.
