Navigare 2- 2017

EDITORIAL
ENGLISH TRANSLATION FROM PAGE 4
SAFER TO WORK AT SEA
The number of accidents in the shipping
industry is decreasing. The accident statistics
for 2016 show a decrease in the number of
shipping accidents and in the number of
personal accidents on board Norwegian
ships. In fact, we have to go back to 2009
before we find a year with fewer shipping
accidents than in 2016. The number of
personal accidents has not been lower since
1988/1989, and this is very good news. The
long-term trend is also positive. In a perspective
of thirty years, the number of deaths
in Norwegian shipping has decreased by
close to 90%. Despite this positive development,
it is still more dangerous to work at sea
than it is to work on shore. In 2016, seven
people lost their lives in connection with
work on Norwegian vessels. Six of these lives
were lost on fishing vessels.
Both the industry and the Norwegian
Maritime Authority are working hard to
reduce the number of accidents. Accidents
can be prevented. Good routines for safe
operation will reduce the risk of accidents.
Even though things are going in the right
direction, I still think that more can be done
to decrease the number of accidents even
further. The objective must at least be that it
is equally safe to work at sea as it is to work
on shore.
Even though the Ship Safety Act
maintains that it is the responsibility of the
shipowner to ensure safe operation of the
vessel and compliance with laws and
regu lations, the Norwegian Maritime Authority
also has responsibilities - to develop rules
and regulations, methods and inspections, so
that we have as few accidents as possible.
Over a number of years, the Authority has
worked towards becoming more risk based in
its work methods. In other words, finding a
system through which our efforts are put into
that which will give the greatest effect on the
reduction of accidents. We have carried out
Olav Akselsen
Director General of Shipping and
Navigation
annual risk assessments, published an annual
Risk Assessment Report and decided on
annual focus areas. We believe that this has
had a positive effect and the Authority has
become more goal-oriented in its work to
prevent accidents. We now take yet another
step on our way to become risk based in our
supervisory work.
From 1 June 2017, a new system for
inspections will be introduced. The objective
is that our inspectors shall focus more on and
spend more time on the vessels and the
shipowners that pose a greater risk, and
spend less time on the low risk vessels.
Shipowners that have demonstrated good
and safe operation over a period of time will
experience that the Authority uses less time
on their vessels, whereas high risk vessels will
be subject to a more detailed and thorough
inspection.
A new model will help determine whether
the vessel is a high, medium of low risk
vessel. Former deficiencies, detentions, age
and accidents will help determine the risk
associated with the ship.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority has
over a long period of time, worked to adapt
procedures and checklists to suit a more risk
based way of working. In addition, our
inspectors have received thorough training in
the new inspection method. The new method
for risk based inspections will be used for
inspection of certificates, ISM audits and
unannounced inspections on Norwegian
vessels.
I hope and believe that this new and more
targeted way of carrying out inspections will
lead to more findings, and that ships of the
poorest quality either are upgraded or phased
out. This may contribute to an increase in the
quality of Norwegian vessels. I also hope and
believe that the new inspection method will
increase safety and furthermore contribute to
a decrease in the number of accidents, so that
it will be even more safe to work on board
Norwegian vessels.
Navigare 2 - 2017 | 59