Safety issue

Safety issue description

The safety culture on board Cape Splendor was not well developed and the ship’s managers had identified it as such. A consequence of this inadequacy was the ineffective implementation of working over the side procedures, including the general belief by its crew that safe work practices applied only when working, and not during recreational activities.
Issue number MO-2014-011-NSA-025
Issue owner U-Ming Marine Transport, Singapore
Transport function Marine: Shipboard operations
Date issue released 09/02/2016
Issue status justification

U-Ming Marine Transport has identified the importance of continuing to develop the safety culture on board its ships and across the organisation. This has been promulgated across its fleet through safety circulars and the internal auditing system, which will support a positive safety culture to develop over time. The ATSB has issued the safety advisory notice, MO-2014-011-SAN-024, to promulgate this safety issue more broadly across industry.

Safety action

Action type Safety advisory notice
Action number MO-2014-011-SAN-024
Organisation Masters, owners and operators of all ships
Action date 09/02/2016
Action description

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises the masters, owners and operators of ships that an adequately developed safety culture underpins an effective shipboard safety management system. Such a culture can better ensure that seafarers apply safe practices at all times, both during and recreational activities on board.
Action status Closed

Safety action

Action type Proactive action
Action number MO-2014-011-NSA-026
Organisation U-Ming Marine Transport, Singapore
Action date 09/02/2016
Action description

U-Ming Marine Transport has advised the ATSB that it has taken the following safety action to address this safety issue:

  • Prohibited fishing from accommodation ladders and posted warning signs adjacent to ladders.
  • Issued a fleet-wide training record form that includes safety precautions for working on the accommodation ladder, and establishing and enhancing shipboard safety culture.
  • Updated man overboard search and rescue procedures across the fleet.
  • Improved the curriculum for shore-based training courses to learn from this accident and enhance safety culture across the fleet.
  • Upgraded fleet-wide risk assessments and procedures for working aloft/over the side to emphasise the importance of permits to work, use of personal protective equipment and ensuring suitable supervision.
  • Documented compliance with procedures and safety precautions for tasks completed out of work hours across a range of documents.
  • Directed company auditors to pay particular attention to the use of procedures and permits to work, and assessing crewmember attitudes to safety at work and during leisure.
Action status Closed