The maritime industry stands at a crucial crossroads, and the introduction of the Safety Human Incident & Error Learning Database (SHIELD) could very well redefine how safety is approached in shipping. Developed through a collaborative effort under the EU’s SAFEMODE project, SHIELD aims to tackle the persistent human-factor issues that plague maritime incidents. Dr. Rafet Emek Kurt, head of the University of Strathclyde’s Maritime Human Factors Centre, is leading the charge, urging ship operators, safety professionals, and accident investigators to harness this innovative tool to dig deeper into the root causes of accidents.
For too long, the maritime sector has been stuck in a reactive cycle. When accidents occur, the immediate response is often to pile on more safety procedures, checklists, and training. While these measures are well-intentioned, they frequently miss the mark, leading to increased cognitive load for seafarers without truly addressing the underlying issues. “Human factors have long been recognized as a critical element in shipping safety,” Dr. Kurt stated, underscoring the need for a paradigm shift in how the industry approaches safety.
What sets SHIELD apart is its ability to provide comprehensive feedback to a wide range of stakeholders—ship managers, policymakers, accident investigators, and system builders—allowing them to quantify human components in safety risk models. This is a game changer. The maritime industry has historically struggled to incorporate human factor considerations into critical decision-making, leading to stagnation in safety improvements. As Dr. Kurt pointed out, “In the absence of high-quality data, the maritime sector has failed to include human factor considerations in critical decision making.”
The SHIELD platform is not just about collecting data; it’s about understanding it in context. Using the iceberg analogy, Dr. Kurt emphasizes that while the visible part of an incident is easy to see, the submerged factors—workload, situational awareness, stress, fatigue, and even organizational culture—are often overlooked. “At the tip of the iceberg, it may be relatively easy to see what happened, when it happened and who did what. But the reasons why it happened are not uncovered. SHIELD allows us to take a deeper dive,” he explained.
The urgency for broader participation in SHIELD cannot be overstated. More companies need to upload their data to enrich the database and facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of human factors in maritime incidents. This collaborative effort will enable researchers to identify emerging trends and patterns that can directly inform the design of safer systems and targeted policies.
Dr. Kurt emphasizes that SHIELD represents a significant shift in the dialogue around maritime safety. “By empowering shipowners to deeply analyse their accident data, we can move beyond the traditional ‘human error’ narrative and uncover the true drivers of incidents,” he said. This is not just about preventing accidents; it’s about creating a safer, more efficient, and sustainable maritime sector.
As the maritime industry grapples with the complexities of human factors, SHIELD stands out as a beacon of hope. It’s a tool that promises to transform the way safety is perceived and implemented, challenging the status quo and urging stakeholders to look beyond surface-level solutions. The call to action is clear: shipowners and industry players must engage with SHIELD to unlock its potential and drive meaningful change in maritime safety.