A recent survey by Safetec, presented during Maritime Week in Haugesund, highlights that increasing efficiency demands are jeopardizing seafarer safety, according to the Norwegian Maritime Authority. Out of 30,000 surveyed, over 3,300, including 1,000 through phone interviews, revealed significant concerns. Notably, 26% of seafarers admitted to occasionally bypassing safety procedures due to company pressures, while 38% reported being assigned tasks that require them to be in two places simultaneously.
The survey indicates that the issue is not the lack of safety regulations but rather how they are perceived. Fourteen percent of respondents feel their adherence to safety procedures goes unrecognized, and 20% believe companies prioritize results over safe practices. Time constraints further exacerbate the situation, with 23% indicating insufficient time for training and 32% reporting that maintenance and inspections are often deprioritized.
Additionally, the work environment plays a crucial role in safety culture. While incidents of bullying at sea have decreased, ships where it persists tend to exhibit weaker safety cultures. Safetec emphasizes that to achieve the industry’s goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries, shipping companies must prioritize safety over efficiency and actively engage with seafarers’ concerns.
