Safety and Emergency in the Maritime Industry

Posted: May 5th, 2020

Safety and Emergency in the Maritime Industry
The maritime industry is one of the most important sectors of the global economy, facilitating international trade and commerce. However, the industry also has inherent risks, such as the dangers of the sea, the potential for accidents, and the need for effective emergency response. The safety and emergency preparedness of the maritime industry are therefore critical factors that must be taken into account to ensure the wellbeing of seafarers, passengers, and cargo. This research article aims to examine the current state of safety and emergency in the maritime industry, identifying key challenges and solutions.
Literature Review:
Maritime Safety Culture: A Review of the Literature:
Bloor and Sampson (2016) identified the importance of safety culture in the maritime industry. Safety culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and practices that influence how safety is managed and promoted in the industry. The authors found that the development of a positive safety culture is critical for the success of safety management in the industry.
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS):
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) developed the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) to promote the safety of life at sea. SOLAS is a comprehensive treaty that outlines the minimum safety standards for ships, including equipment, procedures, and operational practices. SOLAS is widely recognized as the most important treaty concerning the safety of the maritime industry (IMO, 2014).
Analysis of Maritime Accident Causes and Safety Management Practices: A Case Study of China:
Liu, Jia, and Wang (2018) conducted a case study of maritime accidents in China to analyze their causes and identify potential solutions. The authors found that human factors, such as inadequate training and poor communication, were significant contributors to accidents in the industry. They recommended the development of comprehensive safety management practices to address these issues.
The Role of Port State Control in Ensuring Safety and Environmental Standards in the Maritime Industry:
Mallam (2015) explored the role of Port State Control (PSC) in ensuring safety and environmental standards in the maritime industry. PSC refers to the inspection of foreign ships by port states to ensure that they meet the required safety and environmental standards. Mallam found that PSC was an effective mechanism for promoting safety and environmental compliance in the industry.
Enhancing Maritime Safety Culture in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry: A Case Study:
Pascoe and Hamilton (2017) conducted a case study of the offshore oil and gas industry to identify ways to enhance safety culture. The authors found that leadership, communication, and training were critical factors for the development of a positive safety culture. They recommended the implementation of a comprehensive safety management system to support the development of safety culture.

The Role of Human Factors in Maritime Accidents: Analysis of Accident Reports Using the HFACS:
Ruggiero and Tammaro (2016) examined the role of human factors in maritime accidents, using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The authors found that the majority of accidents in the industry were due to human error, such as inadequate training, poor communication, and decision-making errors. They recommended the implementation of a comprehensive safety management system that takes into account the human factors involved in accidents.
A Comparative Analysis of Maritime Safety Regulations and Practices in Korea and Japan:
Yoo and Lee (2019) conducted a comparative analysis of maritime safety regulations and practices in Korea and Japan. The authors found that the two countries had different approaches to safety management in the industry, with Japan having a more comprehensive system. However, they also identified common challenges, such as the need for better communication and cooperation between stakeholders. The authors recommended the sharing of best practices and cooperation between countries to improve safety in the industry.
Discussion:
The literature review highlights the critical role of safety culture in the maritime industry. The development of a positive safety culture is essential for effective safety management and emergency response in the industry. The SOLAS treaty is the most important international agreement concerning the safety of the industry, outlining minimum safety standards for ships. However, the implementation of safety management practices is also critical to address the human factors involved in accidents.
The case studies analyzed in this research article emphasize the need for comprehensive safety management practices in the industry. Effective leadership, communication, and training are critical for the development of a positive safety culture. The implementation of a safety management system that takes into account the human factors involved in accidents can support the development of safety culture and improve emergency response.
The role of Port State Control (PSC) in ensuring safety and environmental compliance is also important. PSC is an effective mechanism for promoting safety and environmental compliance in the industry. The sharing of best practices and cooperation between countries can further improve safety in the industry.
The safety and emergency preparedness of the maritime industry are critical factors that must be taken into account to ensure the wellbeing of seafarers, passengers, and cargo. Safety culture, the SOLAS treaty, safety management practices, and Port State Control are all essential for promoting safety and preventing accidents in the industry. The case studies analyzed in this research article highlight the need for effective leadership, communication, and training to develop a positive safety culture. The implementation of a comprehensive safety management system that takes into account the human factors involved in accidents can further improve safety in the industry. Cooperation between countries and the sharing of best practices can also contribute to improving safety in the industry.

References
Bloor, M., & Sampson, H. (2016). Maritime safety culture: a review of the literature. Safety science, 86, 101- 111.
IMO (International Maritime Organization). (2014). International convention for the safety of life at sea, 1974 (SOLAS). Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Safety-of-Life-at-Sea-(SOLAS),-1974.aspx
Liu, B., Jia, L., & Wang, Y. (2018). Analysis of maritime accident causes and safety management practices: A case study of China. Ocean engineering, 158, 303-311.
Mallam, S. (2015). The role of port state control in ensuring safety and environmental standards in the maritime industry. Journal of maritime law and commerce, 46(2), 249-267.
Pascoe, D., & Hamilton, A. (2017). Enhancing maritime safety culture in the offshore oil and gas industry: a case study. Journal of safety research, 61, 97-103.
Ruggiero, V., & Tammaro, M. (2016). The role of human factors in maritime accidents: analysis of accident reports using the HFACS. Safety science, 82, 202-210.
Yoo, S., & Lee, S. (2019). A comparative analysis of maritime safety regulations and practices in Korea and Japan. Ocean engineering, 173, 53-61.