Question 1

BSU published a standalone 'lessons learned' document on 2 May 2024 — more than a year before the full 92-page investigation report was released in July 2026. Why issue a shorter document so far ahead of the full report?

Accepted Answer

To get the freewheel-wear warning out to the wider industry faster, rather than waiting for the complete technical investigation to finish BSU's stated purpose was to alert the wider professional audience — not just SEAHAKE's operator — that freewheel modules in davit winches can suffer undetected wear regardless of manufacturer, well before the full technical report was ready. Germany's Ship Safety Division (BG Verkehr) helped circulate it fleet-wide via an ISM circular the same day.

Question 2

Under the ISM Code and as reinforced in Gard's guidance to Members, the Master's overriding authority to make decisions for the safety of the ship and protection of the environment can be overruled by a commercial instruction from the company, such as a charterer's order to sail on schedule.

Accepted Answer

False False. Gard's guidance to Members consistently stresses that the ISM Code (element 5) gives the Master overriding authority and responsibility for safety and pollution prevention decisions — and that companies must ensure this authority is not undermined by commercial pressure. A charterer's or owner's commercial instruction never overrides the Master's safety judgement; Masters who feel pressured are advised to record their decision and reasoning and report it to the company and, where relevant, to their P&I correspondent.

Question 3

A crew member identifies that a piece of safety equipment does not match what is listed on the safety equipment plan. What is the correct way to handle this under the SMS?

Accepted Answer

Raise it as a non-conformity/observation through the SMS reporting process so it is recorded, investigated, corrected, and — if it reflects a wider issue — used to improve procedures or the safety equipment plan itself The ISM Code requires a system for reporting non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences so they can be analysed and corrective/preventive action taken — quietly fixing an issue without recording it loses this opportunity for systemic improvement.