When a seafarer steps aboard a new vessel, they must learn the systems, procedures, culture, and expectations of that ship, while it continues to operate. This insight examines why the transition onto a new vessel is one of the most significant competence gaps in modern maritime operations, and what the industry can do to reduce the risk it creates.
The competence gap is often evident at transition points. The first transition point is when a seafarer joins a vessel. New crew members need to familiarise themselves with the vessel, route, ship-specific equipment, company safety management system, emergency procedures, reporting tools, and working culture onboard while the vessel continues to operate.
This makes familiarisation critical. Amitvikram Chitnis, Head of Product at Inchcape Shipping Services, discussed how “if you’re not familiarised in the right way and if you don’t have that experience or confidence, the chances of getting into an accident or a tight spot are very high”.
Robert Pogson, Deputy Harbour Master/VTS Manager at Belfast Harbour, described the reality many crews face: “You’ve got someone that probably hasn’t worked for two or three months, and they’re chucked onboard a ship and said go.”
James Shaw, Master at a major ferry operator, supported this, explaining that newly qualified officers need time to settle into the vessel before they are expected to take full responsibility. He said: “Rather than someone passing out of college with a nice new certificate and then being sent on a ship straight away, they need some time as a supernumerary. If you have got the guys there for a couple of weeks just shadowing and getting their heads around everything first, then that’s a big step, rather than just them plunging in.”
The effects of inadequate familiarisation procedures are documented in the MAIB Safety Digest. A delivery crew joining a fishing vessel failed to recognise an engine room bilge alarm they were unfamiliar with, and the vessel sank. The investigation found the crew had not been given sufficient time to become familiar with the vessel’s systems before departure.
The second transition involves moving from vessel to vessel. This was identified by 36% of survey respondents as a common source of competence gaps. Even within the same company, vessels will have different equipment, software versions, bridge layouts, cargo systems and working procedures. If the company does not properly standardise critical procedures as much as practicable, crew members will have to relearn working methods each time they move to a new ship.
The third transition is moving between different conditions, as a crew member might perform well in everyday operations yet struggle when something unexpected happens. Abnormal and unexpected situations were identified by 67% of survey respondents as an area where crews commonly struggle, which was the highest single response in the survey.
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