The International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates Day Of The Seafarer (DoTS) annually on June 25. This day marks a global celebration to recognize the contribution of seafarers to the world economy and our society.
The theme of this year’s DoTS campaign is ‘Safety tips at Sea’. Ships pose a very challenging working environment to seafarers and they need to exercise extreme caution while performing various shipboard operations to avoid injuries and mishaps. Safe ship operations are crucial for the well-being of crew members, the protection of the environment, and the overall success of maritime endeavors. ‘Safety First’ is an oft-used term in the shipping industry. The power of these two seemingly simple words is immense, and it needs to be taken seriously by all stakeholders, seafarers included.
The Company’s Safety Management System provides various tools to seafarers and shore management to make shipboard operations safe and incident free. Some of these are Risk Assessment Programmes, personal safety cards, checklists and work instructions, emergency preparedness checklists, planned maintenance systems, safety manuals, operations manuals, etc. In addition to all required personal protective equipment for seafarers made available onboard. The Companies also have well defined reporting procedures to report near-misses and incidents which are then collated, analysed and shared within their respective fleets. The end user of all these tools is the seafarer and their overall effectiveness eventually depends on the interest and diligence of the seafarer in optimizing their use.
Some of the common causes of maritime accidents are lack of training and safety procedures, poor safety culture, human errors, crew fatigue, weather and environmental conditions, etc. Another factor which plays a big role is ‘normalization of deviance’. Normalization of deviance refers to a phenomenon where unacceptable practices or behaviors gradually become acceptable or normalized within a group or organization over time.
Normalization of deviance can manifest in various ways as follows:
Safety Procedures: Ignoring or bypassing safety protocols during routine operations because “nothing bad has happened before”.
Maintenance Standards: Allowing minor equipment faults to persist without proper repairs, assuming they pose no immediate threat.
Crew Behaviour: Accepting shortcuts in navigation or operational procedures that deviate from best practices but save time or effort.
Consequences: Normalization of deviance can lead to increased risks of accidents, injuries, or environmental damage because it undermines safety standards and compromises operational integrity.
It can also erode safety culture by fostering complacency and reducing vigilance among crew members.
On this Day Of The Seafarer, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has invited seafarers to share their pictures in their working environment, highlighting how they keep their workplace safe. This is a good opportunity for seafarers to understand their own contribution towards making the maritime sector a safer workplace.
I would say practicing ‘good seamanship’ can help mitigate a lot of safety related issues onboard and enhance the safety culture onboard the ship.
Here are some safety tips for seafarers to make their workplace safer:
Familiarize yourself with your Ship
Understand the layout, equipment, and safety features of the vessel.
Know the locations of emergency exits, life-saving appliances, and firefighting equipment. This will definitely come handy during an emergency.
Follow SOPs
Adhere to established procedures for all tasks, including navigation, maneuvering, and emergency responses.
Use checklists and conduct regular drills to practice procedures effectively. Drills need to be conducted realistically for obvious reasons.
Maintain Clear Communication
Use effective communication techniques, especially during critical operations.
Utilize walkie-talkies, VHF radios, satellite communication systems, and signaling devices appropriately.
Monitor Weather & Sea Conditions
Stay informed about weather forecasts and sea state conditions. Adjust speed and route planning accordingly to ensure safe navigation.
Prioritize Safety Equipment & Maintenance
Regularly inspect and maintain safety equipment such as lifeboats, life jackets, firefighting gear, and navigational aids as per PMS schedules.
Report any defects promptly and ensure timely repairs.
Stay Vigilant & Alert
Maintain situational awareness at all times, especially during navigation and maneuvering.
Rotate duties to prevent fatigue and ensure alertness among crew members.
Prevent Pollution
Adhere to environmental regulations and best practices for waste disposal, fuel management, and ballast water treatment, sewage treatment.
Use pollution control equipment and follow spill response procedures diligently.
Crew Health & Well-being
Promote a healthy lifestyle aboard, including adequate rest, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. Encourage socializing onboard through regular get-togethers.
Training & Professional Development
Participate in training programs to enhance skills in navigation, manoeuvering, safety procedures, equipment handling and emergency response. Stay updated with industry regulations and technological advancements.
Participate in Company’s Safety Campaigns
Every Company runs periodic safety campaigns. Participate in such campaigns with all seriousness to make them effective.
Promote a Safety Culture
Encourage a culture of safety and accountability among crew members.
Conduct safety meetings, share lessons learned from incidents, and foster open communication about safety concerns.
Every seafarer should remember that his family is eagerly waiting to hug him when he returns home from his voyage.
So, it is important to make every moment onboard safe for himself and for his colleagues so that every homecoming ends on a happy note.
Happy Day Of the Seafarer! Wishing you all Safe voyages always!
The writer is a Master Mariner, a member of the Managing Committee of Maritime Union Of India and a certified Maritime Trainer.
