Tag: Interviews

Claudine Couture-Trudel, Vice President of ESG Policy and Future Initiatives at QSL, highlighted that to effectively meet ESG requirements, the industry needs to embrace technological advancements such as cleaner propulsion systems and digital solutions that minimize environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency.

In an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, Harriet Hunnisett-Johnson, Head of Maritime, Signol, emphasized the importance of engaging and supporting crew members to effectively participate in decarbonization efforts without adding undue pressure.

In an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, ITF's Inspectorate Coordinator, Steve Trowsdale, emphasizes that forced labor, human trafficking, and modern slavery remain under-addressed topics within the maritime sector. He suggests that these issues warrant more attention.

Dr. Pennie Blackburn, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Director of Waypoint Maritime CiC discusses the importance of understanding cultural differences in communication styles within the workplace, especially in environments with strict hierarchies. She emphasizes the significance of psychological safety and suggests that establishing open dialogue requires skilled leadership, both in formal and informal communication channels.  

Speaking exclusively to SAFETY4SEA, Kevin Sligh, Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), outlines the primary hurdles facing the offshore industry and discusses BSEE's strategies for addressing them. Central to BSEE's efforts is the cultivation of a safety-conscious culture and robust risk management practices across all offshore activities.

David Hammond, Executive Director of Human Rights at Sea International (HRASI), calls maritime stakeholders to incorporate the principles and terminology of human rights within maritime operations, and actively advocate for transparency and accountability.

Francesco Gargiulo explains how IMEC tackles the current challenges facing the industry and calls for a change in mindset regarding crew welfare. Seafarers’ welfare initiatives should not be perceived as a cost but rather as an investment, he comments.

Abdulgani Serang, Programme Development Manager at ITF Seafarers’ Trust, emphasizes the need to move beyond mere "attitude paralysis" and take tangible actions towards enhancing crew welfare. He advocates for regulatory updates that prioritize welfare as an inherent right for seafarers, underlining the crucial role of maritime organizations in implementing measures to create a supportive environment that addresses stress and fatigue.

10 February marks two hundred years since the birth of Samuel Plimsoll, the great maritime safety campaigner and Member of Parliament who fought for the introduction of the load line that still bears his name.

Although originating from the yacht sector, Emma Kate Ross, a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Co-Founder/Director at SEAS THE MIND, shares practical advice regarding crew members’ mental health that applies to other sectors of the maritime industry as well. She emphasizes that a proactive approach is necessary to incentivize crews to take care of both their mental and physical health at sea.