The maritime industry is undergoing a silent revolution in risk prevention, emphasizing human-centric technology to enhance safety for crews and operations. Mr. Harilaos Petrakakos, a member of the Marasco Marine Ltd Advisors’ Board, outlines five effective technological strategies that ship owners, managers, and insurers can implement to improve safety and reduce claims while prioritizing crew members. The first innovation is predictive maintenance through IoT sensors.
These smart devices monitor machinery for issues like vibration anomalies or heat spikes before they lead to breakdowns. This technology alleviates the reliance on instinct for crew members, such as Chief Engineer Nikolaos, by allowing them to anticipate maintenance needs through predictive alerts. As a result, Greek-owned fleets have seen a significant 40% decrease in unscheduled maintenance.
Next, the use of augmented reality (AR) for emergency drills provides crews with immersive training experiences that replicate real-life crises. Instead of traditional scripted drills, AR training allows teams to react under pressure, developing crucial reflexes and coordination. This approach enhances incident resolution speed by 30% in simulated situations.
Cyber hygiene is also critical for modern vessels that depend heavily on software. Crew members are empowered through training programs, multifactor authentication, and regular system updates, transforming them into digital protectors of their ship’s systems, while still ensuring they have manual overrides when necessary. Wearable technology, such as smartwatches, addresses the issue of fatigue, a leading cause of maritime accidents.
By monitoring rest patterns, these devices notify officers before exhaustion becomes a critical hazard, fostering a safety culture that values well-being over bravado. Lastly, AI-powered dynamic risk maps combine real-time data on weather, piracy, and satellite movements to provide navigators with informed routing choices. This ability was exemplified when a Maersk vessel successfully rerouted a day before encountering a Category 4 storm, averting disaster.
Ultimately, the shipping sector must focus on technology that empowers human expertise rather than replaces it. These actionable strategies amplify crew effectiveness and foster safer working environments. Marasco Marine Ltd is committed to supporting shipowners with innovative solutions that reduce risks and create resilience in an evolving landscape of global trade.