What Are Some of the Risks Maritime Workers Face?

Accidents Respiratory diseases and cancer Fires and explosions Falling objects Extreme temperatures

What are Some of the Most Common Maritime Security Issues?

Trespassing Illegal maritime trade like fishing Piracy Human trafficking Environmental pollution Thievery

What Future Security Threats May Impact the Maritime Industry?

Cyberattacks Poor equipment Global warming Smart contract hacking Maritime cloud vulnerability Social engineering attacks

What are Some Best Practices in Maritime Security?

Regular Vessel Inspections Oversee maintenance to improve security Manage the coordination and handling of cargo Proposing modifications Report problems Assuring security awareness and vigilance Implement security training Report and record security incidents Ensure screening programs Monitor security equipment Supervise and support crew members

What are Some Helpful Tips to Ensure a Safe Sail?

Encourage situational awareness, staying alert to the ship environment. Ensure good visibility and be attentive when moving cargo or when lifting equipment. Report any mechanical malfunctions, electrical breakdowns, spills, or other abnormal incidents. Always follow safety procedures. Wear recommended safety equipment, including helmets, shoes, goggles, etc. Always ready yourself for work. Report any illness. Do not work while injured, tired, or nauseous. Learn maritime safety information from relevant training sessions.

Maritime Safety Guide

Nearly all world industries rely heavily on maritime shipping. Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon once stated, “Maritime transport is the backbone of global trade and the global economy.” Maritime shipping is also considered one of the safest and most environmentally-friendly modes of goods transportation.

Due to the vastness of the oceans, safety has always been foundational to the shipping industry. The shipping industry was one of the first industries to implement comprehensive international safety standards set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This maritime safety guide condenses the many rules and regulations ensuring safety across marine waterways.

What is Maritime Safety?

Maritime safety is the collection of measures to protect life and property at sea. Specifically, the guidelines come from the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). SOLAS provisions range from setting the frequency of ship inspections to implementing approved life-saving appliances.

Crewmember training and certifications also ensure that sailors follow best practices and protocols at sea. IMO generally oversees international shipping safety matters, but the organization is also responsible for preventing marine and atmospheric pollution.

Risks Faced by Maritime Workers

Maritime workers are exposed to many risks while on duty. According to the CDC, the marine transportation industry recorded 87 fatal injuries between 2011-2017, almost six times the rate of all U.S. workers. During the same period, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows 11,000 non-fatal maritime injuries.

The main risks faced by maritime workers include:

Accidents

Life at sea is unpredictable and often dangerous. Maritime workers can have life-threatening accidents every day while at work. Poorly placed objects on the ship’s decks can cause obstruction or slip and fall injuries.

Respiratory diseases and cancer

Maritime workers are often exposed to fumes, asbestos, heavy metals, and solvents, leaving them vulnerable to respiratory diseases. Shipyard workers and welders are at high risk for cancer due to airborne hazardous materials in their workplaces. Long-term workers and Navy veterans also face an increased risk of mesothelioma from past asbestos exposure.

Fires and explosions

Fires and explosions can cripple a vessel, causing the loss of life, property, and goods. In the enclosed spaces of a ship, fire can spread rapidly. Fire prevention, detection, and extinction regulations seek to avoid total devastation, but accidents can still happen.

Falling objects

Loose objects like wrenches can fall from elevated platforms and pose a danger to the people below. Given the unpredictability of a rolling ship, any unsecured item can be a hazard.

Extreme temperatures

Exposure to extreme temperatures on a ship can cause fatigue, dehydration, high body temperature, and hypothermia.

Maritime Safety Rules and Standards

The STCW Standard of Training, certification, and watch-keeping regulates the level of competence crew members need to join merchant vessels. The STCW entails training and certification, adherence to standard hours of work and rest, medical requirements, and more. The convention is a must-read for all maritime personnel. Its maritime safety rules and standards include:

Maritime Safety Rules and Standards

International Safety Management Code

The regulations list safe management practices to ensure maritime safety and prevent pollution. It’s a foundational code of the SOLAS Convention, which regulates the safe management of shipping operations. It’s also an essential code for shipping owners, operators, companies, and maritime institutions.

Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

The SOLAS code protects maritime personnel and the sea. It describes the required safety rules for all merchant ships.

Life-Saving Appliance Code ( LSA)

The International Maritime Organization provides international requirements for life-saving tools and appliances such as life jackets, immersion suits, visual aids, and thermal protectives.

Procedure For Port State Control

This procedure is done at nearly all ports worldwide. It sets the protocol for inspecting foreign ships to maximize sea safety while also controlling maritime pollution.

Fire Test Procedures

This code provides the international standards for the various categories of approval, laboratory testing, and fire test guidelines for products quoted in SOLAS chapter II. The code has multiple tests such as surface flammability, smoke, toxicity test, and non-combustibility. The procedures also have the global requirements for non-combustibility, smoke, and toxicity tests of A, B, and F class divisions. It also regulates fire door control systems and surface flammability tests.

Cargo Security and Storage Code

This code sets safe working conditions for securing containers on the ship’s deck and safe ship storage measures for motor vehicles.

International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargo Code and Supplement

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargo Code covers the safe storage and shipment of solid bulk cargo. This code covers shipping risks for different solid bulk cargoes and outlines measures for shipping that solid bulk cargo.

Load Lines Convection

The Load Lines Convection regulation outlines a ship’s freeboard length and the stability of the ship. It also covers potential risks for different zones and seasons. The code primarily ensures that ships’ hulls are watertight below the freeboard deck.

International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR)

The Civil Aviation Organization and International Maritime Organization jointly publish a manual of mobile facility emergency search and rescue procedures. The manual should be on board all ships.

Collision Regulation ( COLREG)

COLREG works to prevent ship collisions. It is an essential guide for ship navigation.

MARPOL Code

The Marpol Code regulates marine pollution and dangerous substances emitted from a ship.

Common Security Issues

Common current maritime security issues include:

Trespassing

Ships might enter a foreign country or territory without prior permission.

Terror attacks

Terrorism can destroy valuable property and poses a significant security threat.

Illegal maritime trade like fishing

Illegal fishing has led to considerable property destruction when the associated parties clash.

Piracy

Maritime piracy is a major threat in the industry, leading to economic loss, lost time, transport delays, and high insurance rates.

Human trafficking

Human trafficking can involve children, women, and men who have been exposed to hardships, sexual violence, and trauma.

Environmental pollution

Oil spills affect maritime species. Air pollution from gas emissions poses a substantial risk to all living things.

Thievery

Cargo theft can cost millions of dollars, resulting in poor economic growth.

Future Security Threats in the Maritime Industry

Maritime security is constantly changing. In the future, the industry faces risks like:

Cyberattacks

Most companies increasingly rely on technology, leaving vessels vulnerable to remote attacks at sea.

Poor equipment

International maritime organizations need modern weapons to deal with potential terror attacks.

Global warming

Just as extreme temperatures affect maritime personnel, global warming will also affect maritime industry staff, potentially causing severe health issues.

Smart contract hacking

As hacking technology evolves, cases of contract hacking might increase.

Maritime cloud vulnerability

Cloud vulnerability can cause insufficient integration, maintenance, and design of cyber-related systems.

Social engineering attacks

Malicious activity can pose significant risks to the maritime industry. Staff can engage in dangerous social activity, make security mistakes, or give away sensitive information.

Taking Maritime Safety Seriously

The safety of any ship is reliant on the awareness and diligence of every crewmember, but the vessel s