Responsibility and competence
Identify the vessel representative and work lead. Confirm qualifications appropriate to the task and make sure everyone knows how to raise a concern.
Discuss: who leads, who approves, who needs to know?Safety & work preparation
Safe work starts
before work starts.
People, vessel, equipment and environment. A clear scope, competent personnel and appropriate controls set the foundation for every marine service task.
Immediate danger aboard? Follow the vessel’s emergency procedures and contact the appropriate emergency or maritime rescue service. This website and its planning assistant are not emergency-response channels.
Before attendance
Understand the work.
Understand the risks.
Each vessel, berth and task has its own conditions. Use these topics to prepare the discussion with the vessel representative and the work lead.
Boarding and the work area
Agree access arrangements, site induction, restricted areas and interfaces with other work. Keep emergency access and escape routes part of the plan.
Discuss: berth, access, nearby operations and restrictions.Energy and system status
Identify electrical, mechanical, pressure and other stored-energy hazards. Qualified personnel must establish the applicable isolation and energy-control procedures for relevant work.
Discuss: affected systems, operating state and control authority.Specific hazards and permissions
Identify whether the scope involves confined spaces, hot work, lifting, work at height, hazardous substances or refrigerants. The actual task determines the assessment, competence and permissions needed.
Discuss: required controls before the work begins.Vessel and environment
Consider weather, vessel movement, heat, ventilation, exhaust, spills and waste handling. Reassess the plan when site conditions or nearby activities change.
Discuss: what could change during the work?Restart and return to service
Agree the testing and handover arrangements, restoration of guards and protections, crew communications and any remaining restrictions. Identify who authorizes return to operation.
Discuss: evidence, open items and operating limitations.When conditions change
Pause.
Raise the concern.
Pause the task when the scope is unclear, an unexpected hazard appears, or the required competence, controls or authorization are missing. Report the concern to the work lead and vessel representative before proceeding.
Make the concern visible.
Describe the condition and the work affected. Keep people informed and follow the vessel’s or site’s procedures.
Reassess the plan.
The responsible people review the change, its effect on the scope and the controls needed for the actual task.
Agree before restarting.
Confirm that the required controls, competence and permissions are in place, and communicate the revised plan.
A useful preparation record
Bring the right facts
to the safety discussion.
A concise briefing helps the vessel representative and service team identify what needs further assessment before attendance.
The service conversation creates a preparation record. It is not an approved risk assessment, permit to work or authorization to proceed.
Before the job, confirm:
- Vessel, exact location, berth and work window
- Requested scope and systems affected
- Onboard contact, work lead and access arrangements
- Known hazards and operational restrictions
- Required permissions and task-specific controls
- Other work taking place nearby or on connected systems
- Site emergency arrangements and communication
- Testing, handover and closeout responsibilities
People and equipment
Good preparation
continues after arrival.
Use the vessel’s procedures, site requirements, manufacturer instructions and applicable local rules to determine the controls for the actual job.
For vessel owners and crew
Share known defects, access constraints and operating restrictions before attendance. Tell the work lead about changes in vessel movements, nearby work or the available work window. Make sure the crew understands any limitations that remain at handover.
Explore crew familiarization ↗For service providers
Match personnel, equipment and permissions to the agreed task. Bring questions about the scope or conditions to PELASTRION before proceeding. Record changes, relevant results, remaining issues and information the vessel needs for safe handover.
Explore provider readiness ↗Official references
Use the right source
for the setting.
These resources support general preparation. Recreational boating, commercial vessels, shipyards and individual tasks can have different requirements.
WORKPLACE SAFETY
OSHA shipyard resources
Official information about common hazards and safety considerations in ship repair and related work.
Open OSHA resources ↗ EQUIPMENT SERVICINGControl of hazardous energy
OSHA’s shipyard guidance on energy-control programs, procedures and personnel training.
Open energy-control guidance ↗ RECREATIONAL BOATINGU.S. Coast Guard boating safety
Official safety topics, educational resources and reference material for recreational boaters.
Open boating safety resources ↗ EXHAUST AWARENESSCarbon monoxide aboard
USCG information on carbon-monoxide hazards, awareness and prevention for recreational vessels.
Explore carbon-monoxide awareness ↗Prepared people make a stronger service team.
Build a crew orientation, technical-development or fleet-support learning plan.