Marine Meteorology Fundamentals
Weather does not become dangerous when it is extreme — it becomes dangerous when it is misunderstood Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Why Marine Meteorology Is Different From Shore-Based Weather Meteorology at sea is not about comfort. It is about motion, force, timing, and margin. On land: At sea: […]
Common Communication Failures (Accident-Driven)
Why the radio was working — but the message still failed Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Why Communication Fails More Often Than Equipment In most maritime accidents: The failure occurred between people, not between systems. Communication fails because it relies on: When margins shrink, those dependencies break first. 2. […]
Communications Under Stress
Communications Under Stress Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Why Stress Attacks Communication First When stress increases, the brain reallocates resources. Priority shifts to: Language is not prioritised. This is why communication degrades before technical skill or intent. People still want to act — they just lose the ability to […]
Distress
Why delayed escalation costs more than false alarms Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Why Escalation Exists as a System Distress, urgency, and safety calls are not emotional labels. They are graduated control signals designed to: Escalation exists because waiting for certainty is unsafe. 2. The Three Escalation Levels Explained […]
Closed-Loop Communications & Readback
Why hearing is not understanding — and how accidents slip through the gap Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. What Closed-Loop Communication Really Means Closed-loop communication is a verification process, not a conversation style. It ensures that: Until the loop is closed, communication is incomplete. Silence does not mean agreement.It […]
SMCP
When shared language matters more than fluent language Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. What SMCP Really Is Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) are not a language course. They are a safety control system for spoken words. SMCP exists to ensure that: SMCP does not aim to sound natural.It aims […]
VHF & DSC
How radios actually keep ships safe — and how misuse creates accidents Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. What VHF and DSC Really Are VHF radio is the primary short-range safety communication system at sea. DSC is not a replacement for voice radio.It is a digital alerting system designed to: […]
Common Pilotage & Port Entry Failures
Why experienced crews still get caught out in routine entries Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Why Pilotage Accidents Are Rarely About Skill Most pilotage and port-entry accidents involve: They do not involve ignorance of rules or lack of technical knowledge. They occur because normalisation of routine erodes vigilance. Familiarity […]
Abort Criteria During Pilotage
Knowing when to stop before stopping becomes impossible Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. What an Abort Actually Is An abort is not a failure. It is a deliberate decision to preserve safety margins by stopping, holding, or withdrawing from a manoeuvre before control is lost. During pilotage, an abort […]
Port Entry as a Manoeuvre Sequence
Why port entry is not a moment — but a chain of commitments Contents Use the links below to jump to any section: 1. Why Port Entry Must Be Treated as a Sequence Port entry is often treated as a single event: “The pilot boards — then we go in.” In reality, port entry is […]