Safety Management
Behaviour-Based Safety & BAPP
A proactive, evidence-driven approach to maritime safety. Focused on the behaviours that precede incidents, not just the incidents themselves.
Most incidents at sea are not equipment failures. They are human ones.
The Challenge
Same vessel.
Different outcome.
The technical systems are in place. The procedures are written. And yet incidents still happen.
Research consistently shows that human factors are involved in the vast majority of maritime accidents. Not because crews are careless, but because unsafe behaviours can become routine without anyone noticing. They accumulate quietly, beneath audits and checklists, until something gives.
Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) addresses this directly. Rather than waiting for incidents to surface problems, BBS programmes create the conditions for observation, conversation, and correction before anything goes wrong.
The difference between a near-miss and a serious incident is often one behaviour, observed and corrected in time.
Bridge Team Safety Training
The Approach
What is Behaviour-Based Safety?
BBS is a proactive safety methodology that focuses on observing, analysing, and positively influencing the behaviours of personnel at work. It does not replace existing safety management systems. It gives them teeth.
Focus on Human Behaviour
Recognises that human actions are the primary drivers of safety outcomes. Targets the behaviours that matter most.
Positive Reinforcement
Safe behaviours are acknowledged and encouraged. Positive feedback is a stronger driver of lasting change than correction alone.
Structured Observation
Regular, systematic observation of work as it is actually performed. Not a spot check. A consistent practice.
Data-Driven Decisions
Observation data reveals patterns and trends that individual incidents cannot. Decisions are grounded in evidence, not assumption.
Crew Involvement
Effective BBS is built with the people doing the work, not imposed on them. Ownership at every level is what makes it last.
Fire Drill Assessment
Advanced Implementation
BAPP: Beyond the Baseline
BAPP (Behavioural Accident Prevention Process) extends BBS with more sophisticated tools, deeper analysis, and a structured improvement cycle built for demanding operational environments.
Where BBS establishes the foundation of observation and feedback, BAPP adds the layer of root-cause analysis. It asks not just what was observed, but why that behaviour occurred and what systemic conditions allowed it.
Observers under BAPP receive advanced training in human factors, risk perception, and communication. Digital platforms support real-time data collection. Review cycles are built into the programme structure, so improvements compound over time rather than fading after the initial launch.
For companies operating in high-consequence environments, or those seeking to align with evolving ISM Code and MLC 2006 expectations, BAPP provides a framework that holds up under scrutiny.
The Process
How a BBS Programme is Built
A structured, nine-step process that moves from initial setup through to a self-sustaining safety culture. Each phase builds on the last.
Form a Safety Team
Establish a dedicated team to design, oversee, and champion the programme across departments and ranks.
Identify Critical Behaviours
Define and prioritise the unsafe behaviours specific to your operation: PPE compliance, lifting technique, distraction, communication failures.
Develop Observation Tools
Create structured checklists and forms that allow observers to record behaviour consistently and without ambiguity.
Train Observers
Comprehensive observer training covers technique, human factors, feedback delivery, and the discipline needed for consistent results.
Conduct Observations
A regular observation schedule runs across all departments and operational contexts. Observations are structured, not reactive.
Provide Feedback
Timely, constructive feedback goes to all crew. Positive behaviours are acknowledged. Unsafe ones are addressed without blame.
Analyse the Data
Observation data is reviewed for trends, patterns, and recurring conditions. This is where root causes become visible.
Implement Corrective Actions
Targeted interventions address the behaviours and conditions identified in analysis. Actions are tracked to completion.
Review and Improve
The programme is reviewed regularly. Findings feed back into the next cycle. A living system, not a one-time exercise.
Why It Matters
What a Well-Run BBS Programme Delivers
The return on a properly implemented BBS programme extends well beyond accident statistics.
Fewer Accidents and Near-Misses
Unsafe behaviours are identified and corrected before they escalate. The incident record improves because the conditions for incidents change.
Operational Continuity
Safety incidents disrupt schedules, compromise cargo, and create significant administrative burden. Reducing them keeps operations running.
Reduced Costs
Lower insurance exposure, fewer repairs, reduced liability. A BBS programme pays for itself in a conservative risk calculation.
Regulatory Alignment
Demonstrates active compliance with ISM Code safety culture requirements and MLC 2006 crew welfare obligations. Stands up to Port State Control scrutiny.
Crew Morale and Retention
Seafarers who feel their safety is actively managed and their input is valued are more engaged, more capable, and more likely to stay.
Long-Term Sustainability
A mature BBS programme becomes self-reinforcing. Safety culture is no longer dependent on a single officer or a pending audit. It is built into daily work.
From those who have worked with him
Further Reading
Other Services That May Interest You
Frequently asked questions
Get in Touch
Ready to build a safer operation?
Whether you are starting a new BBS programme or reviewing an existing one, the conversation starts with a clear-eyed assessment of where you are now.
Independent advice. No commercial ties to any supplier or certifying body.