Maritime
Safety
Comprehensive maritime safety guides — life-saving appliances, fire fighting, ISM compliance, permit to work systems, and emergency procedures. Written by certified safety officers and Master Mariners.
SAFETY TOPICS
Maritime Safety Knowledge Base
Essential safety knowledge for seafarers — from life-saving equipment to emergency procedures and safety management systems.
Lifeboats
Types, launching and maintenance of survival craft
LSA
Life-Saving Appliances — SOLAS Chapter III requirements
FFA
Fire Fighting Appliances and firefighting equipment
Permit to Work
Formal safety system for hazardous operations
Risk Assessment
Identifying and mitigating maritime hazards
Muster List
Emergency duties and assembly station assignments
Abandon Ship
Abandon ship procedures and survival at sea
Man Overboard
MOB procedures and rescue operations
FAQ
Maritime Safety FAQ
What is the ISM Code?
The International Safety Management (ISM) Code provides an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. Made mandatory under SOLAS Chapter IX, the ISM Code requires companies to develop a Safety Management System (SMS) covering safe ship operations and protecting the environment. Every ship must have a Document of Compliance (DOC) for the company and a Safety Management Certificate (SMC) for each vessel.
What is a muster list and what does it contain?
A muster list (also called station bill) is a document posted in prominent places on board showing the emergency duties of every crew member. Required under SOLAS Regulation III/37, it lists each person's muster station, duties during emergencies (fire, abandon ship, man overboard), alarm signals, and instruction for passengers. The muster list must be updated whenever there is a change in crew and must be in the working language of the ship.
What is a Permit to Work system?
A Permit to Work (PTW) is a formal document used to control hazardous work onboard ships. It identifies the hazards associated with a task, the precautions required, personnel involved, and requires sign-off from a responsible officer before work begins. Common PTW types include Hot Work Permits, Enclosed Space Entry Permits, Working Aloft/Overside Permits, and Electrical Isolation Permits. The PTW system is a key element of the ISM Code Safety Management System.
What LSA equipment is required under SOLAS?
SOLAS Chapter III requires ships to carry: lifebuoys with lights and lines, lifejackets for all persons plus extras, immersion suits or thermal protective aids, survival craft (lifeboats and liferafts) with capacity for all on board, rescue boats, line-throwing appliances, and EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). The specific requirements depend on ship type, size and trading area. Passenger ships have more stringent requirements than cargo ships.
How often must abandon ship drills be conducted?
Under SOLAS Regulation III/19, every crew member must participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill every month. On passenger ships, a muster drill must be held within 24 hours of embarkation of passengers. Drills must include: reporting to muster stations, donning lifejackets and immersion suits, launching survival craft, and starting fire pumps. Records of all drills must be kept in the official log book.