07/07/2026
It's and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) are asking seafarers to focus on safety management systems (SMS) and the importance of closing the gap between safety in theory and safety in practice.
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Rob Loder:
'A thorough and comprehensive SMS is one of the most powerful tools available to mariners... Done properly, emergency response procedures are planned in advance, so that when a crisis strikes, nothing is left to chance.
But an SMS is only as good as its implementation. Too often, our investigations reveal a troubling pattern. Often SMS have failed to prevent an accident because they had not fully identified all the operational hazards. We have also seen examples where SMS were seen as a compliance exercise and were filed away rather than used as a way to engage staff in working safely.
An SMS should be a living document that is regularly reviewed and updated. Senior leadership engagement with the SMS is essential because crews take their cue from management.'
At JPMA, we focus heavily on teaching not only the design, but also the implementation of an SMS.
Something as simple as drills and musters or risk assessments may feel like a hindrance, when you've got charter guests arriving in a few hours, but these procedures are in place to keep you, and everyone on board, safe.
This Maritime Safety Week, the MAIB are urging all vessel operators, regardless of your sector, size, or vessel type, to think carefully about your SMS and answer these questions honestly:
- Is it comprehensive? Have you identified and fully mitigated all potential risks?
- Does your SMS reflect your operations? Is it specific to your vessel?
- Has it been briefed? Do your crew have a detailed understanding of safe working methods? Do they know what they should do in an emergency and have you done regular drills?
- Does it reflect real-life working? Have you conducted management assurance to ensure that the working practices detailed in the SMS are what crew are actually doing on board?
- Is it regularly reviewed? Does your SMS reflect lessons learned from near misses and incidents, both on your vessel and across the industry?
