Our humorous campaign film was made to make the industry aware of the dangers on board. The film was very well received by both shipping companies, seafarers and educational institutions. Please continue to share the film on social media platforms with the tag #passpå (watch out).
We need to improve the safety culture
In the last few years, the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority has provided detailed safety advice in their reports, and there are now many new requirements.
"We have observed that there is often a lack of understanding of the roles on board and organisational weaknesses within shipping companies. This is especially true for management and communication," says Senior Surveyor Birthe Lill Eskevik.
There is rapid development within this vessel group, and the equipment is often heavy and complicated to use. Both knowledge and expertise are necessary to perform the tasks.
"More targeted measures are necessary to maintain safe conditions. We need to build a better safety culture, and we need more knowledge concerning risk assessments," Eskevik adds.
The campaign results
A total of 125 unscheduled inspections were conducted and 883 orders to rectify issued in total during the campaign.
When categorising the orders to rectify, we see that safety management systems were given 198 orders, fire measures 139 orders, life-saving appliances 96 orders, ship certificates and documents, as well as preventive measures, 90 orders, stability, construction and associated equipment 84 orders, safe navigation 60 orders, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers 43 orders, and work areas 24 orders.
"The industry still has a lot of work to do, and we hope everyone will agree and put measures in place to improve safety and create good working conditions. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is available to provide advice and information, and we will continue to focus on smaller workboats and service vessels. Our hope is that a good safety work in the shipping company and on board will reduce the number of orders to rectify at our next inspection," says Eskevik.
Remaining orders to rectify
Most of the orders have been closed, but there are still 28 split between 13 vessels.
"Four of these orders that have not yet been closed are related to the navigational watch alarm. This is a type of equipment that needs to be delivered and installed by the supplier. Some orders are also open for vessels that have been taken out of operation, and in these cases there is an ongoing process of improvements to close the orders," Eskevik points out.
Learning ane exhange of experiences
Human errors happen. It is easy to identify individual errors and "correct" these. However, if we use the errors to learn, and at the same time exchange experiences, the safety will improve for everyone. This applies both to incidents and regular work.
"We hope that orders to rectify that were issued on board the vessels are discussed by the shipping company management and on board the vessels so that everyone can help lift the safety standard on all levels," Eskevik adds.
Mini seminar during the "Maritim uke" conference in September
During the "Maritim uke" conference in Haugesundm the Norwegian Maritime Authority and the Norwegian Seafood Federation will arrange a mini seminar on how safety can be improved on smaller workboats and service vessels.
There will be lectures and panel discussions on safety management, the responsibility of mastesr and lessons learned.
Registration and information for the "Maritim uke" cnference is found here.
You can find more information (in Norwegian) on the campaign on the NMA's website.