Maritime safety depends on human factors and leadership, not procedures alone
Seafarers may misjudge when and where they are most at risk on board, according to experts speaking at a maritime safety and human factors panel in London recently. The discussion explored how fatigue, stress and leadership culture affect safety and why procedures alone cannot address every risk. Panellists called for prevention efforts to account for ...
Experts have highlighted that human factors and leadership play a crucial role in maritime safety, not safety procedures alone. A panel in London discussed how fatigue, stress, and leadership culture impact safety, emphasizing that procedures are insufficient on their own. Seafarers' perception of risk onboard was examined through a survey by OneCare Group, which found that many seafarers believe the highest-risk period is during the first three months of a contract, contrary to data from Gard's crew claims report, which indicates injuries are most common in the first three months and between 8am and 10am during routine tasks.
The survey also revealed that half of the respondents identified night watches as a high-risk period. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how seafarers perceive risk, which may not always match actual incident patterns. Experts argue that leadership, both onboard and ashore, significantly shapes onboard safety culture.
Dr. Jens Tülsner, CEO of Marine Medical Solutions, advised organizations to recognize seafarers as key workers and address declining shore leave and inadequate rest hours. He stressed the need for leaders to practice self-reflection and authenticity, and cautioned against the use of wearable sleep trackers as tools for control. The panel concluded that lasting safety improvements rely on understanding human behavior, creating a safe environment for seafarers to speak up, and leaders taking responsibility for setting the right culture.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
