Our initiatives

With the growing threat of cyber attacks on vessels and operators, a strong cyber security plan is an essential part of any vessel management system. The Club has a range of guidance available on how to ensure vessels are well prepared to prevent attacks.

Cyber security on board

The Club has produced the following articles to assist Members with improving their cyber security plans and raise cyber awareness on board vessels:

• Cyber Risks - High Level Statistics
• ISM Cyber Security
• Cyber Security Guidelines for Vessels 
• Cyber Guidance for Crew
• Cyber Security on Tankers (OCIMF– Tanker Management and Self Assessment (TMSA))
• Webinar: Maritime Cyber Security
• Infographic: Is Your Vessel Cyber Secure?

Secure State Cyber

Secure State Cyber has been specialising in information and cyber security since 2005. Its mission is to create security for everyone within the digital space. Its consultants are specialists in information security and come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, including civil engineering, computer systems, law with speciality integrity protection, cognitive science, civil economics and computer networking.

In collaboration with Secure State Cyber, the Club has released a series of short FAQ articles identifying common cyber risks on board and what actions Members can take to ensure the security of their vessels.

• Cyber risks on board passenger vessels
• Crewmembers’ responsibilities for maintaining security of IT systems on board
• The importance of antivirus software and contingency planning for vessels

Be Cyber Aware at Sea

The Club is proud to support Be Cyber Aware at Sea – a global maritime and offshore industry initiative to raise awareness of cyber threats to international shipping ports and offshore operations.

• Be Cyber Aware at Sea

External resources

• Industry Guidelines on Cyber Security On Board Ships
• IACS Cyber Systems Position Paper
• IACS Unified Requirements E
• IMO's Insider Threat Toolkit

For more information or if you require further assistance, please contact the Loss Prevention team.
 

Entry into an enclosed space is a critical operation which, if not carried out diligently, can seriously jeopardise the safety of the personnel involved. According to the International Group of P&I Clubs, there were 83 deaths in enclosed spaces during the 2015 to 2019 policy years.

The resources provided below have been produced by the Club to assist Members and crew with preventing such incidents from occurring.

Resources from the Shipowners’ Club

• Sample Entry into Enclosed Spaces Risk Assessment Form
• Enclosed Space Entry Booklet
• Enclosed Space Entry Poster

Resources from The International Group of P&I Clubs

The International Group of P&I Clubs

Full Enclosed Space Entry Animation

Stop, Think, Stay Alive

External pressure

External pressure to get a job done can and does lead to fatal accidents. Fully assess the risks involved and do not undertake a task unless there is sufficient time and resources to complete it safely. 

External Pressure

Time pressure

Do not rush safety related tasks, rush a safety-critical job or miss safety critical steps due to time pressure.

Procedures, practices and equipment

Best practice and safety equipment are provided to keep you safe on board; don’t take your safety for granted no matter how experienced you are. Always comply with the correct safety protocols.

Unsafe situations

Everyone is responsible for safety; it’s essential you speak up and stop the job if you think something is unsafe.

Emergency drills

Nobody knows how they will respond to an emergency. It’s vital to rely on the training you have received; don’t die by neglecting your own safety.

Preparation and communication

Everyone involved needs to be confident of what is happening, that they are experienced enough to do the job and what the emergency responses are; don’t presume every task will go without incident.

During 2020 the Club has noted an increase in Members laying up vessels within their fleet compared to previous years. To assist Members with the process of placing vessels into layup and the subsequent reactivation process, the Club has produced a number of guidance pieces.

Club publications

• What steps should a prudent shipowner take when placing vessels into layup
• What steps should prudent shipowner take when bringing their vessels back into service after a long period of layup
• Reactivation of vessels after a period of layup

Related content

• An endurance guide for Members in tough market conditions
• Challenges in meeting operational and regulatory requirements
• Crew health and wellbeing

For as long as there have been vessels at sea, piracy has posed a threat to shipowners and their crews. Piracy hotspots and piracy methods have changed over the years, with the advice available to shipowners and masters needing to evolve in order to keep pace.

Industry-leading organisations, including the International Group of P&I Clubs, have pooled together to develop the Best Management Practice (BMP) guides, which are used extensively throughout the industry and feature advice on: conducting risk assessments, implementing ship protection measures, and reporting piracy incidents. View the latest version of the BMP guidance.

The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre page is also a useful source for Members, and provides masters and their crews a live piracy map and report as well providing the contact details for:

24-hour Maritime Security Hotline

In addition, the Club has produced a number of guidance and advisories on this matter, an these are listed below:

Club piracy content

• Piracy Podcast with IFC
• Piracy FAQs
• Humanitarian support of seafarers and their families in cases of armed robbery and piracy attack
• Piracy in Southeast Asia

Industry links

• BMP Maritime Security
• Global Counter Piracy Guidance
• Reporting Guidance for vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden (GOO), Arabian Sea (AG), Gulf of Oman (GOO), Straits of Hormuz (SoH) and the Arabian Gulf (AG)
• IMB Piracy & Armed Robbery Map
• Industry Update Following Incident in the Persian Gulf (January 2021) 
• Maritime Security Threat Overview (MISTO) 31 March 2025
• MSC.1/Circ.1334 - Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships
• MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2 - Guidance on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships in the High Risk Area
• Maritime Global Security
• GOG (gog-mdat.org)
• ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre
• Information Fusion Centre 

For more information or if you require further assistance, please contact the Loss Prevention team below.

Working on board a ship often exposes seafarers to a variety of work-related accidents and incidents. In most cases, these may have been easily avoided had a proper risk assessment been undertaken. The Club has identified some routine shipboard tasks which have given rise to avoidable claims and, on the basis of these, will be publishing monthly sample risk assessments to advise Members on how to mitigate such claims.

While the Club acknowledges that many Members already have a formal risk assessment process in place these examples, which are provided for guidance purposes only, will be of benefit to those who may not have the shore side management infrastructure in place and therefore may not have access to such procedures. The Club emphasises that this guidance is not to undermine or replace the company’s safety management policies or any applicable statutory regulations.

• Implementing risk assessments
• Risk assessment form
• Passenger vessels risk assessment
• Mooring operations risk assessment
• Fishing operations risk assessment
• Container operations risk assessment
• Bunker operations risk assessment
• Oil tanker operations risk assessment
• Tug and barge towing operations risk assessment
• Heavy weather precautions risk assessment

Entry into enclosed spaces risk assessment:

• English - enclosed spaces risk assessment
• Bahasa translation - enclosed spaces risk assessment
• Thai translation - enclosed spaces risk assessment
• Chinese translation - enclosed spaces risk assessment

Instilling a healthy Safety Culture can have many benefits for Members, regardless of the size of marine operation concerned. 

Read more about our Safety Culture

The Club recognises that our Members' vessels are unique both in design and operation and with that comes related challenges. To assist Members mitigate associated risks, the Club has created the following resources for specific vessel types. 

Tugs and Harbour Craft engaged in towing operations

Member’s operating tug and barges have always made up a large proportion of entered tonnage at Shipowners’. To ensure we provide this important sector with assistance to mitigate risk, the Club has produced a range of towage guidance available to Members and their crew.

Yachts

The Club is often approached by yacht owners and managers for advice on yacht specific matters. To assist our Members with preventing incidents and to answer some of the most frequently asked questions we have produced a range of helpful materials and advice which you can find on the Yacht Safety page.

Fishing vessels

Fishing is often cited as being one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Many of our Member’s that operate fishing vessels are spearheading safety systems and practices tailored to their sector. To assist Members with their risk mitigation, we’re proud to have developed the below guidance, in collaboration with industry experts, where appropriate.

• Fishing vessel safety booklet
• Risk assessment
• Refrigeration on fishing vessels
• Recommendations for crews on fishing vessels
• Guidance for fishing vessel owners operating in the vicinity of subsea cables
• Subsea Cables – Preventing and minimising claims against fishing vessels
• ‘SAFE by Design’ – Safety posters for fishing vessels

Cargo

Members often seek advice from the Club on carriage requirements and general risks associated with certain cargoes. As a starting point, we recommend Member referencing the cargo specific Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and the BMT Cargo Handbook.

Members should also ensure that the vessel in question is statutorily allowed to carry the given cargo and that the relevant statutory codes are consulted and complied with together with any industry issued guidance and best practices. If specific information regarding carriage and usual practices for a particular port/country are required, Members can contact the Club’s local Correspondent.

Member's may also find this related advice useful: 

• Steel Pre-Shipment Surveys
• Guidance On Ensuring The Weathertight Integrity of Hatch Covers
• Hold Cleanliness
• Loading and discharging procedures for inland barges
• Guidelines for the Safe Carriage of Charcoal in Containers
• CINS: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Containers Guidelines
• CINS Guidelines for Shipping Lithium-ion Cells in Containers

All vessel types

Fire safety

Fire poses a threat to all vessel types, regardless of their size or operation, and has the potential to result in severe injuries or the unfortunate loss of life and significant damage to or loss of a vessel. The Club has produced several fire prevention initiatives that may assist Members and their crew, which you can find on the Fire Mitigation and Safety Practices page.

Mooring operations

Seafarers and shore personnel continue to be injured or killed during mooring operations. In the five policy years to 2021, the International Group Clubs were notified of 858 injuries and 31 fatalities during mooring operations. In addition to guidance from the Club, SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-8, the ISM Code, the safe working practices of Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) Mooring Equipment Guidelines can be used to learn more about technical aspects of mooring operations. 

Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements as a Diagnostic Tool

Whilst mandatory for larger tonnage, small vessels may not be subject to regulatory requirements and standards regarding hull condition monitoring. The Club strongly recommends that voluntary steps are taken to follow good practices, if such measures are not mandatory, to reap the benefits of using Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements (UTM) as a Diagnostic Tool. To assist Members with this, the Club in collaboration with Mentor Marine Consultants has produced this advice on UTM, to provide insight into the method and benefits of non-destructive testing to monitor hull condition.

On Board Maintenance

A key part of ensuring an effective and safe operation on board a vessel is ensuring that regular maintenance is carried out. Having a framework with regard to maintenance will assist crew to identify and rectify issues on board prior to them developing into more serious situations. The Club has produced the following resources on this topic –

• The Importance of Implementing a Planned Maintenance System (PMS) on Vessels where ISM does not Apply
• Guidance on Ensuring the Weathertight Integrity of Hatch Covers
• The Importance of Maintaining Air Pipes and Associated Closing Devices on the Deck
• Offing Marine & Offshore Consultants: Inspection and Maintenance Guidance for Ship Cranes