Question 1

As skipper of a potting vessel, what does MAIB's finding on Weston Bay suggest your risk assessment for pot shooting needs to specifically address?

Accepted Answer

The actual physical separation (or lack of it) between crew and running gear during shooting, and exactly what crew must do if gear needs clearing or adjusting mid-shoot MAIB found Weston Bay's risk assessments did not identify or mitigate the critical hazard of crew interacting with running shooting gear. The Sea Fish Industry Authority was recommended to develop safety management guidance addressing exactly this gap, and the vessel's owner was recommended to develop a shooting method that gives crew physical separation from the gear.

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.