MCA Safety Spotlight: Bridge Navigational Safety – July 2025

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has released a new safety spotlight to address and raise awareness for ships’ bridge navigational safety and risk of collision. 

Recent investigations have uncovered a lapse in safety standards on board. This has increased the level of incidents, casualties and injuries. Watchkeepers, officers and vessel supervisors are responsible for safe ship navigation. If a watchkeeper is facing issues with their ability to focus, for any reason, they should not be responsible for the bridge. 

MCA Safety Spotlight Summary:

• Distraction from non-navigation tasks (e.g., mobile phones and media devices).
• Fatigue and inadequate watch arrangements have contributed to groundings and collisions.
• Watch alarms and navigational aids, such as radar and ECDIS, are not always used effectively.
• Legal compliance with STCW, COLREGs, and working time regulations is essential to avoid prosecution.
• MCA case studies reveal real-world consequences, including convictions of masters, skippers, and owners.

The MCA urges all operators and crew to ensure proper lookout at all times, avoid distractions, use all available navigational aids correctly, and manage fatigue to protect life at sea.

At the MSA we have two full ship bridge simulators for watchkeepers to train and gain qualifications, with no risk of injury or damage. Browse our bridge simulator courses here!

You can read the full MCA Safety Spotlight Bulletin here for more details. 

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