Examining Perceptual Differences in Maritime Safety Climate: A Case Study of Korean Seafarers

• Main Author: Min Jung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
• Subjects: safety culture; international safety management code; safety climate; safety management; Seafarers
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/4/381

To ensure ship safety, safety culture is a critical factor in the organization of shipping companies. The safety climate has been evaluated to determine the level of a particular group’s safety culture. This study investigated South Korean seafarers’ safety culture awareness to compare whether there are differences between those who work on ships engaged in domestic and international voyages. In the latter, reinforced international regulations are applied. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 261 Korean seafarers using seven indicators representing the safety climate used in the aviation and maritime fields. Results showed that seafarers engaged in ocean-going navigation had a higher awareness of management involvement, organizational commitment, learning, and reporting systems, which yielded more positive effects than those engaged in domestic navigation. However, this did not significantly affect communication or employee empowerment. The survey methodology in this study can be used as an effective measure to assess the maritime safety climate; thus, it is possible to prepare policies and educational programs aimed at improving maritime safety.