Resource Management Innovations
Listen to ... The Sea Trials. What?
"A ship in harbour is safe, but that's not what ships were made for".
(A quote from one of my favorite West Wing episodes)
More frequent visitors to the blog may remember that my initial training on leaving home and school was in the armed forces. Although I practice a shameless bias for all things Canadian … I have to admit that many countries excel at training, within their armed forces. When you consider the acceptable margin of error … these schools tend to be very focused and disciplined and very good.
I trained (under some of Canada’s best) for a year prior to my deployment to the 4th Canadian Mechanized Battle Group in Europe. The period I served happened to be during the height of the Cold War … and a great (life & learning) experience as it turned out. Many fully transferrable life skills resulted. Beyond being well trained (it never really stopped) I can attest to being well paid, well clothed & fed, my equipment was the best and together ‘we’ were expected to be tested. At that time in our political history, there was a very real likelihood ‘we’ would be put to the (real) test. During training, not often, but on occasion … stuff broke. I thought that was a reasonable expectation. Heck … a few of my colleagues did. Why not equipment?
When a piece of equipment was stressed to the point of fracture … we would be inundated with manufacturers, engineers, designers & developers … and often DND procurement staff to study every aspect of the ‘performance failure’. We would replicate every aspect of the ‘test’ under which the piece of equipment in question did not ‘muster up’. The data gathering was critical, as it would be analyzed and relied upon for process improvement in future releases of that piece of equipment. That point was not lost on me. As much of a challenge as it seemed to be … I always thought I had it easy. Easier than say … the navy guys. Have you ever thought about the rigor of a ship’s sea trial? When things go wrong on the ground … I have a few options. When things go wrong at sea … well, there are fewer options. And … if there were a graduated scale of the exposure to risk of a sea trial … how about a submarine? Yikes. Like I said, I think I had it pretty good.
Consider if you will the value of a sea trial. There is a purpose to every vehicle, be it land, sea or air. As you would expect, a naval architect is extraordinarily skilled and relies on a lot of critical data that will translate the clients stated specifications of the ship … that then translate into engineered drawings … that make their way ultimately to the ship building yard. The ship is then ‘built to spec’. Before it is turned over to the client … a number of parties with a self interest in the outcome of the test go to sea with her. Most likely the owner, the builder and the equipment & systems suppliers. These are remarkable experiences and the internet has many examples on video if you are interested.
I have a report of a ships sea trial that did not do so well. It certainly did not perform to spec. A very incomplete but representative list of assessment criteria would include:
• Can the engines produce full power?
• What is the efficiency of the propulsion system?
• How much power is needed to reach cruising speed?
• Can the ship compete with other ships in its class?
• Critical in this assessment: Is the data reliable?
The test itself is conducted under stress of course, and would include any functional systems testing as well. In the case of a naval cruiser, her battle systems would be tested under a mock simulation that would validate her readiness to perform against spec. We are reminded on occasion that not all materials will pass the stress test. Regrettable but true. Not too serious if we are talking about a wool sweater or a flashlight … but machines in the air, at sea or on the battle field bring significant consequence if the data is somehow corrupt or the materials are in some way flawed.
I don’t know of a single test pilot, ship’s captain or battle tank commander. I do salute you, because there must be many of you … yet we (I) hear so little about you. You have my gratitude and respect.
Consider all of the above, as it may relate to your life. I do know (as I imagine you do too) a lot of folks who have experienced great trials in life. In the above circumstance of sea trials, the question of “why” is never asked … it is an intentional act that is intended to ensure the integrity of ‘the vessel’ … and that test under stress may save lives.
As I hold this rather remarkable *document in my hand … it occurred to me that a very gracious God has allowed a few sea trials in my life … to prepare me for the real thing. ‘Tribulations’ as my grandma would call them (stories of Job of Old Testament fame come to mind) … are almost always considered a curse. They at least produce a series of “why” related questions … as in one of my old favorite chestnuts … “why do bad things happen to good people?”
In the context of testing my mettle … maybe a trial isn’t such a bad thing. I can only speak for myself, but I can attest to the fact that the refinement in me that has been brought about by trial (ok grandma … and tribulation) has taken a pretty rough original product, and transformed it into a useful, productive, purposeful, focused and disciplined vessel.
Ancient teaching’s use the example of the potter and the clay. Does the clay have the latitude (or wisdom, or discernment) to tell the potter how it wishes to be transformed? To shout instruction from the wheel … as the potter lays skilled hands at a predetermined place at a predetermined time and consistency. Then, oh no! The furnace. Oh, good glory. Could we just please skip that part?
Well, here’s one old well used vessel here to share with you … that I am so glad the potter must have nodded as He understood my protests … and proceeded with the finished end product He had originally envisioned. It seems that my tests were absolutely consistent with my original intended purpose, designed and allowed to ensure integrity of the end result, so I could serve as designed … and that original purpose began way back on the drafting table.
I am reminded in Psalm 139 that although some may find themselves as accidental parents, there are no accidental children. There is a purpose. There is a plan. Consistent with that plan will come a manufacturing process that absolutely must include a trial.
To then be pressed into service, having been found fit and ready to serve is an experience that to this day (as I type this) makes the hair on my arms stand on end. It is a thrill … and there is still no life like it.
Ready? Aye Sir. Ready.
Rick @ RMI
*The paper I refer to is: Sea Trials on the New US Navy Submarine Rescue System. Conducted in Vancouver, BC, Canada in the year 2007. Imagine getting that sea trial wrong? Let’s take a good, long, hard look at the value of our trials … and the purposes they may have served (that we might have missed?).
Posted By: Rick Kneeshaw 2010/07/10
Categories: Reflections: Lessons Learned