The National Transportation Safety Board released the Safer Seas Digest 2016 this past Thursday. The publication lays out the lessons learned through the investigations of 27 major maritime accidents in 2016. These accidents involved loss of life, injuries and property damage.
The 68-page digest could help mariners prevent future accidents, in addition to helping maritime industry C-suites develop a culture of safety at sea.
The information is categorized into 10 sections:
- Standard Maintenance and Repair Procedures
- Operational Testing Procedures
- Operating in Strong Currents
- Familiarization with Local Recommendations
- Bridge Resource Management
- Safety Equipment
- Access to High-Risk Spaces
- Distraction
- Fatigue
- Use of Medication While Operating Vessels
The last three issues (distraction, fatigue and use of medication while operating vessels) are related to the NTSB's 2017-2018 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements which can be found here.
NTSB Acting Chairman, Robert Sumwait believes that a safe maritime transportation system is essential for the economy. In 2016 alone, more than $1.5 trillion of cargo passed through U.S. seaports, according to NOAA.
The publication of the Safer Seas Digest will reduce the frequency and serverity of maritime accidents as well as serve the national interest.
Since 1935, MOPS has protected the licenses and livelihoods of more than 80,000 deck and engineering officers, state and federal pilots and certified tankermen.
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