Maritime Articles
To kick off 2026 on a decisive note, a momentous shift is expected in the realm of the maritime industry. The compulsory update to the Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) course reflects this evolution by introducing crucial amendments in the seafarer’s STCW basic training regime. Notably, these changes target violence and harassment at sea, setting new standards for both commercial vessels and private superyachts.
These amendments sprung forth from the International Maritime Organization’s Resolution MSC.560 (108), adopted in May 2024. The resolution laid ground for minimum competency standards for every PSSR course. Thereby, it strove to bolster safety and welfare standards across all vessels. Seafarers who have already completed the course will not be required to re-take the course. However, specialized training to align with these mandates might be necessary in some cases.
Grappling with the unknown is a constant challenge for the maritime industry. The most unexpected things might go wrong, often highlighting long-overlooked areas requiring immediate attention. A case study from CHIRP Maritime’s Superyacht Feedback throws light on one such incident where something as elementary as incorrect labelling of antennas resulted in a potential crisis.
The GPS 1 and GPS 2 antennas were wrongly marked on both the bridge plan and the compass deck in the study’s specific case. Such incorrect markings could lead to costly errors, especially if technical issues arise and the crew attempts to resolve them based on the inaccurate plan. While the antennas were installed correctly, mismatches between their actual locations and the schematics posed a substantial risk.