This module explores three fundamental concepts – safety, security and risk – at the heart of the modern maritime domain. You will learn about various safety and security challenges, and how to identify them. The module will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to competently tackle key issues and relevant challenges faced by the global maritime sector today. From port state control to piracy, you can expect to be well versed in all issues faced by maritime administrations and authorities around the world. This module will hone your personal and corporate skills, and significantly improve your maritime industry credentials.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

• Identify key safety and security issues relevant to the maritime domain

• Evaluate the risk associated with various maritime safety and security scenarios

• Understand the role of various IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, SAR), codes (ISM code, ISPS code) and instruments (III) in mitigating the risk of safety and security challenges

• Apply the aforementioned IMO tools in practice

• Apply thorough FSAs (Formal Safety Assessments) and propose risk management / control measures for a variety of situations that arise as a result of poor safety or security

• Understand and apply industry state-of-the-art risk assessment and management tools to a selection of scenarios

• Appreciate the core concepts of accident investigations and understand the importance of thorough investigation from a risk management perspective

• Realise the value of a socio-technical system approach and complexity thinking applied to shipping

Course outline

• Introduction to shipping/ship/safety relationship

• The human element in a socio-technical system

• Occupational health and safety and social regulation in shipping context

• An overview of risk assessment - concepts and methods

• Risk management - mitigating and controlling risk in poor safety and security situations

• Risk management in the IMO - an introduction to FSA and other IMO tools

• The need for accident investigation in the maritime industry

• Learning from past mistakes - how to investigate an accident

• Basics on complexity and applications safety