Getting to the root of the problem
When investigating any onboard incident it pays to keep an open mind. What first appears to be the primary cause of the issue may well be the tip of the iceberg.
For the many incidents that dry bulk operators face, the chances of them stemming from a single failure are slim. It’s more likely they have emerged from a combination of conditions. These can range from incomplete procedures, gaps in communication, unclear responsibilities, or environmental pressures. Any number of these conditions may affect safety on board ship, which is why Root Cause Analysis as part of DryBMS is an effective way to uncover contributing factors. For dry bulk operators, RCA is one of the most powerful tools for determining and understanding underlying issues of any incident.
Dry bulk operators implementing DryBMS can utilise Root Cause Analysis as it plays a pivotal role in the framework. It’s use helps build a strong culture of safety across shipping companies, improving the ship safety management and ensuring that lessons learned turn into measurable changes onboard.
Importantly, DryBMS reinforces that Root Cause Analysis is not only a technical process but also one that must be carried out within a just culture, where individuals feel safe to report issues and participate honestly in investigations.
Why Root Cause Analysis Matters in Dry Bulk Safety
Any incidents or near misses that occur must be thoroughly analysed.d
Implementing DryBMS in a dry bulk organisation’s ship Safety Management System places a strong emphasis on structured incident investigation and learning.
This encourages dry bulk operators look beyond surface level causes and identify systemic weaknesses. It detects possible links to the cause between the office and vessels. The outcome helps define practical corrective actions to resolve safety on board ship.
With Root Cause Analysis in play, organisations can move away from reactive fixes and look toward a long-term safety culture.
RCA also helps operators understand how deficiencies and non-conformities contribute to these distinct areas of risk. By identifying not just what went wrong, but the underlying systemic weaknesses, organisations can better address patterns of non-conformity before they manifest as repeat incidents.
Building a Culture of Safety Through Learning, Not Blame
Any dry bulk operator will be aware of the dangers of blame amongst its employees. Therefore, a culture of safety can only exist where crewmembers feel empowered to report any issues openly.
This practice is embedded in the DryBMS approach and supports a just culture by encouraging:
- open reporting of near misses
- transparent communication
- blame-free investigations
- positive recognition for hazard identification
- leadership behaviours that encourage reporting
When Root Cause Analysis becomes part of an organisations work routine, teams shift from “Who caused this?” to “What allowed this to happen?”, strengthening safety on board ship.
Embedding Root Cause Analysis in the Ship Safety Management System
For Root Cause Analysis to be effective, takes a commitment from a shipping organisation. Dry bulk owners should make sure it is embedded into the ship Safety Management System, not treated as a one-off exercise.
To ensure this happens DryBMS encourages operators to:
· include RCA training in HSSE development programmes
· integrate RCA findings into SMS updates
· track corrective actions across ship and office
· cross-share lessons across fleet
· ensure leaders review trend data regularly
Following these actions helps transform Root Cause Analysis from an administrative requirement into a core operational tool.
Real Examples of Turning Incidents into Improvements
There can always be a positive outcome from identifying onboard safety issues. Here are some typical dry bulk Root Cause Analysis scenarios:
- Spontaneous combustion risks from cargo
- Slips and falls during hatch preparation
- Equipment failures during anchoring
- Mooring line parting incidents
In each case, Root Cause Analysis can uncover deeper causes such as training gaps, procedural weaknesses, inadequate tools, or unclear communication.
Training Crews in Root Cause Thinking
To maximise its effectiveness, we’ve stressed the importance of embedding Root Cause Analysis fleet-wide. Here are the key initiatives operators should follow:
- Provide practical training to officers
- Incorporate RCA exercises into familiarisation
- Standardise investigation templates across the fleet
- Use real examples to build learning culture
By taking the time to invest in this approach, operators will soon see measurable reductions in repeat incidents and stronger DryBMS alignment.
Discover how DryBMS and Root Cause Analysis can make a difference to your organisation and subscribe to the framework here.
