Advancing maritime safety: C/E Haboc’s call for knowledge, alignment, and continuous improvement

OCTOBER 31, 2024

On October 21, 2024, C/E Alfredo G. Haboc, Quality Assurance and Program Director of PHILCAMSAT, delivered an impactful presentation at the PTC Ship Management Inc. Crew Conference titled “Safety Through Knowledge.” During his talk, C/E Haboc highlighted the importance of aligning with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) mission, as well as PTC’s own vision, as essential elements in implementing an effective Safety Management System (SMS) under the ISM Code (2018) and its latest amendments. By fostering alignment between these global and organizational goals, he emphasized the need for integrated, comprehensive safety practices that not only safeguard people but also protect the environment and property.

A central theme of C/E Haboc’s presentation was the concept of Safety Intelligence, a framework that calls for knowledge, skills, and situational awareness to help maritime professionals prevent and respond to hazards effectively. He detailed key components of Safety Intelligence, such as risk assessment, root cause analysis, situational awareness, adaptability, and resilience. Highlighting a recent IMO study, C/E Haboc pointed out that insufficient understanding of risk assessment and root cause analysis ranks as the second leading cause of maritime accidents. This insight, he noted, underscores the pressing need for continuous education and training to build a robust safety culture.

C/E Haboc encouraged General Maritime Personnel (GMPs) to regularly assess their competencies and seize training opportunities, such as PHILCAMSAT’s Capstone and Cornerstone courses offered in partnership with PTCI and Jebsen-PTC. These courses are designed to deepen maritime professionals’ competencies, aligning with international standards to bolster their competitive edge in safety management. His call to action for self-assessment and lifelong learning left attendees with a clear message: that a commitment to continuous improvement and Safety Intelligence is essential to fostering resilience and operational excellence in the maritime industry.