This new membership will continue to promote British Superyacht’s ethos that we are Stronger Together in Leading the Industry, something that we embody each day in our operations and training.
Commenting on the membership, Group Managing Director Matthew Jaenicke said, “It’s a great opportunity for Viking Crew and the Maritime Skills Academy to sit alongside other British superyacht renowned businesses to deliver excellence through our services and training to crew, owners, and management companies.”
As members of such a prestigious group, we will be keen to attend events and participate in industry initiatives to discuss the ever-growing needs of the superyacht industry.
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Viking Maritime Group is a leading maritime services company operating in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Malta, Guernsey, the USA, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Founded in 1988, today, the company encompasses a diverse group of businesses, including Viking Crew, the leading maritime crew services provider; and the Maritime Skills Academy, a world-class crew training provider.
Across the company, our ethos has alignment and synergy in putting people first and helping support and develop talent and expertise within the global maritime industry.
The Primary Survey, also known as DR(S) ABC(D), is a crucial mnemonic in first aid for assessing the severity of a casualty’s injury or illness. By following these steps, you can deliver lifesaving aid while waiting for the emergency services.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use it in any scenario:
D is for Danger
Survey your surroundings for hazards that may have caused the initial injury, or that could endanger you. Protecting yourself is crucial for helping the casualty.
R is for Response
Check for a response, approaching from the feet when possible to avoid straining the casualty’s neck or back.
Call the casualty’s name to check for a response without alarming them. You may pinch their collarbone or gently shake their shoulders to elicit a reaction.
S is for send for help
If the casualty is unresponsive, call for help immediately to increase their chances of survival.
If you are in a public place, be sure to ask someone to call an ambulance or to fetch the nearest AED (defibrillator).
Alternatively, call 999 and leave your phone on speaker as you continue the survey.
A is for Airways
Check the casualty’s airway for obstructions by gently tilting their head back with one hand while pulling the chin down with the other. Look carefully inside their mouth and throat.
If there is a blockage, you can either use something to move it, like a pen, or roll the casualty on their side to let it drain. You must never use your fingers, as the person could wake and bite down!
B is for Breathing
Check for breathing by placing your cheek close to their mouth and nose, watching their chest for movement.
Listen for 10 seconds for normal breathing. If you hear abnormal gasps and neck extension is possible, this is ‘agonal breathing,’ which suggests cardiac arrest.
If they are not breathing, it’s time to begin CPR.
C is for Compressions
Place one hand over the other, and interlock your fingers. Position your hands between the nipples, at the centre of the chest.
Give the casualty 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths, and repeat for as long as possible. Aim for a depth of 5-6 cm (2 inches) and push at a rhythm of 120 beats per minute.
We suggest singing along to a song with the same rhythm to keep you on track. Try one of these:
Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees
Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
It’s important to know that whilst you are trying to save a life, you must not exhaust yourself. Look to swap with someone every 1 to 2 minutes as you wait for emergency services to arrive, or until the person regains consciousness.
D is for Defibrillator
If a defib is on hand, then continue with chest compressions whilst someone else continues to set up the machine. Remember to remove any metal on the casualty (such as an underwire in a bra) to avoid burning them once the machine is fitted.
Follow the defibrillator’s instructions and continue compressions after each shock.
Why the Primary Survey is so important?
By remembering the steps to the Primary Survey and DRS ABC, you can provide immediate first aid and increase the chance of survival for a casualty. Having a step by step guide to casualty response eliminates the risk of confusion and panic, and keeps the casualty, surroundings, and responder safe.
The endorsement follows a collaborative agreement between the organisations, represented by Jason Wiltshire, UKMPA Vice-Chair, and Dean Stores, MSA Head of Training. Both commit to strengthening pilot ladder safety with a high-quality, industry-recognised course.
Through this partnership, the UKMPA will actively review course content, delivery, and materials to ensure the training remains valuable for pilots and is aligned with advancing industry needs.
The MSA will adopt the UKMPA’s recommendations to maintain the highest standards. Notably, MSA has already commenced delivery of the endorsed pilot ladder training, with recent courses successfully attended by several pilots from the Port of Dover, as well as a joint initiative with specialist law enforcement personnel from a UK Government agency.
These early sessions reflect both strong industry demand and the immediate impact of the partnership on front-line safety training.
MSA Head of Training, Dean Stores, commented, “We are delighted to receive this endorsement from the UKMPA. It represents the expertise of our team and affirms our pledge to improving safety in one of the industry’s highest-risk activities – pilot transfer operations.”
UKMPA Vice-Chair, Jason Wiltshire added, “Pilot ladder safety is a fundamental part of the pilotage profession and vital for safe transfers at sea. Ongoing reporting shows persistent risks, with global transfer incidents averaging around two pilot fatalities each year. The UKMPA’s endorsement of MSA’s Pilot Ladder Safety Training Course reflects our commitment to collaboration, best practice and reducing preventable incidents.”
By joining the UKMPA Annual Conference later this year as an exhibitor, MSA will deepen its collaboration with the pilotage community and help drive industry dialogue on safety, innovation, and operational quality—underscoring MSA’s leadership and long-term obligation to safer maritime practices.
About the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA)
The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) is the professional body representing approximately 500 licensed maritime pilots across the UK. Committed to the highest standards of safety, efficiency and professionalism in pilotage, the UKMPA advocates for its members and promotes best practice across the global maritime industry.
Maritime pilots play a critical role in guiding vessels safely through UK waters, protecting lives, property, and the marine environment, while ensuring the smooth movement of goods and passengers vital to the national economy.
