Strategies to Enhance Safety Familiarization for Newly Joined Ship Crew

Abstract

The familiarization of new ship crews with safety aspects is a crucial part of the maritime business, which directly determines the prevention of accidents, the confidence of the crew, and the general culture of safety onboard. Although there are international conventions like STCW, SOLAS, and the ISM Code that give the minimum training standards, this research shows that there is a lot of inconsistency in the manner in which safety familiarization is applied in various vessels. The research reveals the lived experiences of seafarers in the initial onboarding process through a qualitative approach that uses semi-structured interviews with cadets, officers, and safety managers.

Results indicate that despite the general acceptance of the effectiveness of practical drills, its usefulness is often restricted by the language barrier, exhaustion, and inconsistent guidance. The gaps in psychological safety, cultural inclusiveness, and utilization of digital tools are also identified in the research. The study is considered to be a multidimensional approach of familiarization, combining regulatory frameworks with theories of adult learning, human factors, and safety climate. Among the most important suggestions, one can single out standardized orientation procedures, formal mentoring schemes, multilingual and visual training materials, and the incorporation of immersive technologies, including VR and AR.

Finally, the thesis states the need to reconstruct the conceptualization of safety familiarization as an ongoing, adaptive process that balances compliance with human-oriented practices to enable crews to become self-resilient, self-confident, safety-aware crewmembers in an ever-more multicultural maritime industry.