A recent maritime safety discussion has highlighted how long experience at sea, while highly valuable, can sometimes lead experienced seafarers to become too comfortable with familiar situations. The concern arises when previous successful operations influence present decisions before conditions are fully checked. The discussion stresses that experience should help officers recognize risks faster, but should not replace proper verification and assessment.

The International Maritime Organization’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers recognize Bridge Resource Management as an important part of maintaining a safe navigational watch. Its principles include effective communication, assertiveness and leadership, maintaining situational awareness, proper use of available resources, and consideration of the experience of team members.

The safety discussion notes that repeated successful berthing, navigation, cargo, or other shipboard operations can sometimes create confidence that similar conditions remain safe. However, changes in weather, vessel condition, traffic, equipment, fatigue, loading condition, or operational circumstances can affect the available safety margin. It also stresses that junior officers should be able to raise concerns and question decisions when necessary, regardless of the seniority or experience of the person making the decision.

Marine accident investigations have previously shown the importance of this approach. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found in the grounding of the passenger ship Hamburg that bridge team members failed to effectively question decisions and did not provide the master with sufficient support to maintain situational awareness. Such findings support the continuing emphasis on Bridge Resource Management, communication, verification, and open challenge within the bridge team. Experience remains an important asset, but decisions should be based on the actual conditions at the time rather than solely on what worked during previous operations.