What Happened?
I was a Safety Officer and encouraged the organisation I worked for to invest in a digitised safety management system (SMS). It took a bit of time to set it up properly, but once the crew got used to using it, they loved it as it became so much easier to record incidents on the spot and save time! Plus, because everything’s put into the software it’s automatically updated when a vessel gets Wi-Fi service. Keeping this updated daily, takes a small amount of time, but it saves us heaps of time when we need to complete audits or have regulators check our records.
What we learned:
Technology that can help save you time when doing necessary paperwork is a bonus! There’s less stress about having to remember what happened during a period of time when you are trying to enter data after the fact as these systems allow you to make updates in real-time.
Tips and Tools
It is suggested that the fishing industry invest in digital safety management systems to streamline safety procedures and record-keeping. Workers should be educated on the positives of digitalisation in the fishing industry, which includes increasing safety through navigational assistance data services, increasing situational awareness, and reducing human error. There are also additional advantages in reducing emissions, through traffic optimisation and “just-in-time” arrival, and economic advantages such as increased efficiency, real-time information, and reduced workload.
Workers should familiarise themselves with various aspects of digitalisation. This includes types of communication channels for best connectivity, which is dependent on cost, location, bandwidth requirements, as well as legal requirements. Various maritime services are also available, such as search and rescue services, traffic services, and navigation services.
Resources:
• AMSA guide to maritime digitalisation: https://www.amsa.gov.au/maritime-digitalisation
• AMSA communication channels guide: https://www.amsa.gov.au/communication-channels
• AMSA maritime services guide: https://www.amsa.gov.au/maritime-digitalisation/maritime-services.