The safety culture on board Cape Splendor was not well developed and the ship’s managers had identified it as such. A consequence of this inadequacy was the ineffective implementation of working over the side procedures, including the general belief by its crew that safe work practices applied only when working, and not during recreational activities.
U-Ming Marine Transport has identified the importance of continuing to develop the safety culture on board its ships and across the organisation. This has been promulgated across its fleet through safety circulars and the internal auditing system, which will support a positive safety culture to develop over time. The ATSB has issued the safety advisory notice, MO-2014-011-SAN-024, to promulgate this safety issue more broadly across industry.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises the masters, owners and operators of ships that an adequately developed safety culture underpins an effective shipboard safety management system. Such a culture can better ensure that seafarers apply safe practices at all times, both during and recreational activities on board.
U-Ming Marine Transport has advised the ATSB that it has taken the following safety action to address this safety issue:
