Our five key takeaways from the UK Chamber of Shipping’s Safety Culture Conference
This year’s Safety Culture Conference in Newcastle brought together voices from across the maritime world, including investigators, operators, human factors experts, and educators like ourselves at The Maritime Skills Academy.
Attending the event reinforced something we’ve long believed: proper safety doesn’t live in procedures alone. It lives in the mindset of crew, in how teams communicate under pressure, and in organisations’ willingness to listen, reflect, and adapt.
How Reflection Can Act As A Vital Safety Tool
We listened to Gareth Lock’s interactive session, which was a standout moment. Using a simple brick-building exercise, he showed how real operations often rely on invisible workarounds that hold systems together- until they don’t. His point was clear: resilience comes not from rigid adherence to rules but from recognising where systems bend and why.
At the MSA, we see this play out in our simulation training. Real learning happens when crews are given space to reflect on their actions rather than follow instructions. We believe reflection isn’t a luxury – it’s a vital safety tool.
Preparing Future Seafarers For Safety
The UK Chamber of Shipping’s panel discussion offered practical insight into how collaborative, proactive initiatives are already reshaping industry culture. From vehicle deck safety and enclosed spaces to lithium-ion battery risks and disruptive passenger behaviour, the emphasis was on shared responsibility and pre-emptive action. The MSA wants to be more involved in this area as we develop training courses to equip today’s seafarers.
Discussions around safety familiarisation for new joiners, an area we actively support, encouraged us. Helping seafarers feel equipped, confident, and connected from day one is essential in preventing disengagement and confusion later.
As a training centre, we’re proud to contribute to this goal by offering onboarding and refresher training designed not just to tick boxes but to truly prepare individuals for life at sea.
Safety Reinforcement Beyond Education
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch and P&I Club representatives shared ongoing trends in accidents and near misses. Many of these incidents echo patterns we’ve seen for years. Despite comprehensive guidance, the same behavioural risks and cultural blind spots reappear.
This resonated deeply with us. At the MSA, we constantly strive to equip seafarers with the skills, confidence, and critical thinking needed to adapt those skills in dynamic, often unpredictable environments. But training is only one part of the picture. Learning must be reinforced and championed at every level of an organisation for learning to last.
Making Psychological Safety a Priority
The second day of the conference brought powerful messages about the role of psychological safety and the significance of creating environments where people can speak up, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear of blame.
At the MSA, we see how transformative this mindset can be. Our instructors don’t just teach; they model respectful, open dialogue. The goal is not just competency but confidence in yourself, your team, and the systems around you.
Our Takeaway: Adjusting Our Culture
This conference was truly engaging and certainly got us thinking. It offered a challenge to reframe how we think about safety – not just as an audit checklist but as a daily practice.
At The Maritime Skills Academy, we are taking that message forward into our classrooms, our simulators, and every conversation we have with those navigating the front lines of maritime operations. Our role is to support a safety culture that learns, listens, and lasts.
Visit the UK Chamber of Shipping’s website to learn more about this year’s conference.