Due to the hazardous nature of the cargo tankers carry, seafarers need to always be alert and thoroughly trained to endure the safe operations of the vessel. As explained under certain circumstances, even a single spark may cause a disaster or another minor event onboard tankers. In light of the matter, experts from the latest SAFETY4SEA Virtual Forum discussed some of the key challenges concerning the safety of tankers.
In fact, back in October 2021, speakers of Panel 8 ‘Ship- Safety : Tankers’ – Capt. Steve Blair, Epic Marine Services Ltd, Managing Director; Mr. Alexandros Glykas, DYNAMARINe, Director; Mr. David Savage, Oceanfile Marine Ltd, Director; Capt. John Taylor, Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited, Loss Prevention Manager and; Mr. Thanasis Theodorou, Capital Ship Management Corp., DPA/CSO, S&Q Manager suggested ways to move forward and improve the safety record.
According to Capt. John Taylor, there are many cargoes related claims and incidents taking place; albeit lessons learned and procedures in place, industry continues to see the same incidents. Consequently, the tanker industry must first understand what is happening and then get the appropriate training before taking any rank or responsibility onboard.
What is more, experts expressed their concerns for the tanker sector, considering that the pandemic has made the situation onboard quite challenging, putting additional stress on the crew. As a result, operators are responsible to focus on crew welfare while keeping the safety standards to the highest level as possible.
Above all, this panel highlighted the need to resolve the ‘safety paradox’ within the tanker sector by building trust with the crew and investing in training, communication and an inclusive culture in which crew have voice to share constructive feedback.
To better explain, the safety paradox is when adding additional layers of safeguards, but at the end of the day achieving the exact opposite by increasing accidents. In other words, it is a theory of contradiction where the intent does not produce the desired outcome,
Unfortunately, as ship managers we are forced to implement new procedures all the time, while the tanker industry has to be in line with specific requirements. Therefore, it is essential to simplify all the paperwork, checklists, safety measurers etc
…Mr. Thanasis Theodorou marked.
From his side, Mr. Alexandros Glykas said that: ‘Although safety paradox does exist within every industry, we have seen that commercial and organizational mandates from the industry have definitely improved safety onboard ships, as incidents are now reduced over the last 20 years and the world is enjoying safer ships, of course with a few exemptions’.
In addition, experts explained that safety culture should be well communicated across all personnel with the aim of motivating the crew on how to implement the procedures for their own safety. In that regard, operators should promote a positive attitude to give encouragement and make seafarers feel respected and valuable.
6 key challenges of tanker safety
- Improve equipment and procedures
- Motivate crew to follow all the safety measures
- Promote teamwork and always report hazards
- Avoid blame culture
- Risk assessments and safe working practices should be available for staff working onboard
- Focus on the human element errors
According to the panelists, there will be potential risks of fires or explosions, air pollution and personnel poisoning in tankers when gas mixtures escape from the liquid cargo tank and diffuse somewhere in oil tanker unusually. At the same time, potential risks of fires, explosions, collisions, groundings and oil spills et al. will also take place when operation of the tanker or work of the liquid cargo tank is carried out wrongly etc.
Once these potential risks are controlled improperly, serious accidents will occur, resulting in huge losses and damage to tankers.
In consideration of the above-mentioned risks and speaking of safety, Mr. Alexandros Glykas marked that the solution to further improve tanker safety is through technology and transparency. Among others, he mentioned the following best practices for every ship management company:
- Communicate all the safety measures between vessels of the same fleet
- Request feedback from seafarers onboard
- Apply distance working to junior and medium office employees, not from home but from a ship for a short period over the year.
- Introduce lessons learned from previous tanker accidents
In light of the situation, Mr. David Savage concluded that..
Safety culture is caught and not taught
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