1.  Formal risk assessments are not a paperwork exercise to appease management but an effective tool to be used on the job to ensure that all risks are considered and that appropriate risk controls are in place before hazardous work is carried out.

2.Communication between management companies and masters of vessels must be effective so that shore support can be rendered to the vessel in an emergency.

3.   Routine maintenance, inspections and testing of fire fighting and life-saving appliances, including drills and exercises for enhancing crew training in their use, should be carried out effectively.

4.Standard and routine tasks are prone to being underestimated in terms of the associated risk of injury. It is important that appropriate measures are implemented to break down the routine on board and that it is regularly pointed out work that is in essence potentially hazardous.

5.  The importance of wearing a flotation device when using pilot ladders.

6.    Climbing or descending a pilot ladder involves some risk for which crew members should have appropriate training or instruction.

7.   The importance of medical fitness for service at sea given that crew members may be exposed to stressful situations demanding high levels of exertion.

8.The importance of suitable tenders for crew transfer operations and recovery.

9.It is important to follow the permit to work system for entering into enclosed spaces on board and that if there is a danger of falling from height, the precautions for working aloft must also be considered.

10.Handrails should be installed along the entire length of the stairs.

11.Crew should wear personal safety equipment including personnel floating device, etc., whilst working on deck.

12.The dangers of climbing or descending ladders while carrying items in one hand.

13.The importance of maintaining communications or visual contact with crew members working alone or in isolated areas.

14.  If crew members fall overboard or end up in the water due to an accident their chances of survival will depend on the speed of the crew response, and how well the response has been planned.

15.Survival craft and equipment must be in a state of readiness and in good working order if they are going to be effective in saving lives.

16.  Where the ship has a mixed national crew, emphasis must be given to effective communication taking into account both the culture and language factors. This is particularly important in an emergency situation.

17.Navigational watch routines have to be planned to accommodate all duties allocated to watchkeepers so that they are not impaired by fatigue.

18.Navigational watchkeeping arrangements and principles have to be observed and accomplished in accordance with STCW regulations.

19.Regular monitoring of the ship’s heading and regular position fixing combined with thorough navigation by eye and the utilization of all available technical aids is a standard professional requirement. Do not switch off alarms.

20.The COLREGs and STCW are clear and beyond any doubt. A complete navigational watch team is essential if there is any likelihood of the officer on watch developing stress based fatigue.

21.  A certificate from a Classification Society is no guarantee of safety of a vessel. The owners must ensure that a vessel is maintained and seaworthy at all times.

22.A vessel’s watertight integrity should be maintained at all times.