Putting Health and Safety First

One of our core values and top priorities is the safe operation of BSM vessels and offices, with no injuries, loss of life, damage to property or the environment. We follow our Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) management system and continuously improve its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, ISO 9001,14001 and 45001.

Our Goals

  • Develop a comprehensive mental health training plan in areas where mental health was recognised as a priority.
  • Reduce Lost Time Injuries of crew onboard full managed ships to less than 0.49 cases per million exposure hours.
  • Maintain the ratio of severe Incidents against ship days to below 0.075%.
  • Ensure at least 90% of Investigation Reports for severe incidents are completed within 40 days of the investigation start date.
  • Ensure all our managed ships actively contribute to Behaviour Based Safety by providing monthly reports on safety observations onboard.

Our Safety Culture

Incidents at sea and on shore can have serious consequences for clients, crew, and the environment.

BSM’s safety culture is driven by understanding human factors and providing concise and visual manuals for quick and precise action. We subscribe to behavioural based safety through targeted training and positive reinforcement of safe behaviour. In addition, we provide our people with easy access to information and reporting opportunities via mobile applications and tablets onboard vessels.

We have a company culture, systems, and policies in place to address key ship management issues – occupational health and safety, cybersecurity, sanctions compliance, environmental protection, and ethical operations. This ensures our clients' assets, operations and interests are protected at sea and ashore.

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Mental Health Strategy

At BSM, we believe that Mental Health should be accessible to all. Through our current Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) we provide 24/7 hotlines for confidential and professional support to all employees, whether at sea or on shore.

Our team of Mental Health and Wellness Training Superintendents across our Maritime Training Centres (MTCs), provide proactive education and support to both seafarers and shore staff. Their role is key in normalising mental health discussions, promoting stress management, and fostering psychological safety.

We enhance crew welfare through Mental Health Awareness trainings, and support key shore roles with resilience and accountability training.

Our Mental Health Policy guides our executive management, employees at sea and ashore, and partners on our objectives and procedures for achieving and maintaining a support system for people with any degree of mental illness.

Read more on our Mental Health Policy.

Download the Policy

Related Content

Happy sailing: improving the mental health of seafarers

14 Mar 2023

Seafaring is commonly considered to be a stressful occupation, both physically and mentally, due to its unique working and social environment. In recent years, seafarers worldwide have been faced with further uncertainties due to the Covid-19 outbreak and rising geopolitical tensions. Yet the mental health of seafarers is a topic which has often not been sufficiently addressed in the past. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) is exploring new ways to improve the wellbeing of its crew.