Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)



Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin issue 21 — Managing risk

Since 2020, 345 serious crew injuries have been reported to us from regulated Australian vessels and foreign flagged vessels in Australian waters. Find out how effective risk assessments can help prevent accidents onboard.

Summary

Subjective assessments of risks in day day-to-day shipboard operations, such as working at heights or over the side, can impact behaviour. Sometimes seafarers may perceive the risk as low and take more risks than they need to. In these situations serious incidents are more likely to occur.

Risk assessment is a key part of the vessel’s safety management system under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. But assessments only work if risks are correctly identified and effective safety measures are implemented.

For an effective risk assessment:

Read issue 21

This bulletin supersedes Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin issues 4 and 6

Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin issue 21 - Managing risks.pdf (265.4 KB)

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Last updated: 26 March 2025