free hit counter

COPE° forms Working Group on Psychological Safety and Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Maritime Sector

Posted On: 14-03-2022

Fairhaven, MA- The Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°) has announced the formation of an informal Working Group to develop projects designed to provide solutions to build on an international framework which supports a psychologically safe workplace culture for mariners. It is universally recognized this will have a positive effect on operational safety and security on board ships. Psychological safety is essential to the successful integration of vulnerable and marginalized groups in support of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion.
The working group will support the work outlined in document MSC105/16/4 of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee as proposed by Dominica, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, InterManager, IIMA, ICHCA International, IFSMA, and AMPP. The submission presents suggestions to amend IMO Model Course 1.21 – Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, which will be discussed by the Maritime Safety Committee in May 2022. Its intention is to develop and deliver relevant actions and impactful solutions, using the UN framework to do the work and connect the industry to objectives.
“It is critical that the IMO quickly develop and implement guidance for programs which address the psychological welfare and safety of today’s mariner, as well as establish guidelines on sexual assault and harassment in the maritime workplace” stated Eva Lianne Veldkamp, IMO Policy Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Dominica Maritime Registry who is leading this effort. “While a lot of talk has been created surrounding these issues, there have not been many policy changes or meaningful actions taken towards supporting Psychological Safety and SASH in maritime. This working group is a great opportunity to translate talk into action.”
The working group welcomes committed maritime government, non-government, corporate, education, science and technology experts and partners to collaborate on developing and delivering relevant actions and impactful solutions to join in their work. Initially, they will be reviewing and suggesting amendments to existing IMO model course 1.21 – PSSR based on the proposals identified in document MSC105/16/4, submitted to IMO Maritime Safety Committee. They will also be evaluating training options, as well as harmonizing best practices and guidance documents amongst United Nations bodies (IMO and ILO); NGO diversity manuals such as ICS, WISTA, ISWAN, BIMCO, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO and the World Shipping Council as well as industry resources and studies.
It is anticipated that future work of the group will include:
• Turning guidelines into education.
• Amending and expanding existing training on safe working practices, effective communications on board ship and effective human relationships on board ships to include elements of psychological safety and dealing with trauma and trauma response.
• Investigating a uniform mechanism for reporting incidents of assault, harassment, bullying, etc.
• Focusing on the responsibility of companies, governments, and authorities.
• Obtaining USCG approvals and meeting ISO standards.

Organizations and individuals who would like to join the working group are encouraged to reach out to Ms. Eva Lianne Veldkamp at eveldkamp@dominica-registry.com

About Northeast Maritime Institute

Northeast Maritime Institute (also called NMI) is a private, coeducational, maritime college offering an Associate in Applied Science in Nautical Science degree. Established in 1981, Northeast Maritime Institute is the only private maritime college in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The college was originally established to provide an alternative to traditional education and training, with an emphasis on preparing mariners for employment. Graduates receive an Associate degree and are eligible to receive a United States Coast Guard Masters license upon graduation. Northeast Maritime Institute has trained over 70,000 mariners since 1995. Northeast Maritime Institute currently is the primary maritime education and training (MET) provider for the Commonwealth of Dominica Maritime Administration as the National MET provider.

Northeast Maritime Online –NEMO° currently provides the only true compliance program of theory, practical exercises, practical assessments and monitored examinations via one online system. NEMO° is fast becoming the global standard for Online STCW Training and Certification, as it currently offers all STCW courses online.

About COPE

The Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE) is hosted by the Northeast Maritime Institute – College of Maritime Science: Created to tackle some of the ocean’s “wicked problems.” A culmination of years of extensive research and conversations with leading experts in the maritime and ocean related fields, COPE is a facilitator for cogent maritime and ocean policy and economic development project initiatives linking academic, corporate, non-governmental, and governmental partners to create impactful solutions. Additional information can be found at COPE.



Adoption is the process by which the law permits the creation of a parent-child relationship which did not previously exist. When you adopt a child, Lawyers near me law recognizes the child as the equivalent of your biological offspring. The adopted child has the same rights of inheritance as a biological child, and adoptive parents have the same duty to provide financial support for an adopted child as they have for their biological children.

Medical Device Defects - The FDA’s Medical Device Standard

Medical device standards run through the Food and Drug Administration to establish if there are possible dangers to the health and properly-being of the character consumer. Knowing what the standards are may provide statistics to the purchaser so she or he is aware about defects or problems that would result in a product legal responsibility claim. The Standards Program became part of the FDA’s Modernization Act or the FDAMA in 1997 to provide a evaluation and evaluation of medical devices. One of the number one desires is to provide protection and growth the viable public health thru growing and spotting the standards set forth thru a consensus of the FDA. This goal is higher served by means of establishing safe and powerful clinical devices that could merge technology and increase fitness attention. By sifting out defective and doubtlessly dangerous machines, the corporation may additionally lower lawsuits and prevent harm to the patient. However, if the personal injury does occur, it's far critical to hire a legal professional to preserve the accountable birthday party at fault. The Vision of the Device Standards Access to first rate and safe devices is some other goal that may decrease the danger of harm to the affected person that desires to buy a clinical gadget. Effective device with out defect is critical for public safety and is critical for the timely improvement of devices. The Standards Program in effect implements the standards and can make use of innovation in medical devices each in production and product safety. The concerned events in those matters could consist of producers of the scientific machines, patients that buy them, companies of scientific remedy and marketers that engage with any or all of these parties. Defects and Injuries The requirements placed into vicinity with the FDA and the Standards Program are necessary due to the high threat of defects in products. The defective scientific device ought to result in diverse and more than one headaches. The manufacturer ought to face a product legal responsibility declare with numerous or just one person. However, the loss in income for every case is devastating to the business enterprise. Other headaches get up whilst the product requires a bear in mind due to the illness. If best one batch suffers, this will mitigate the damage of a total take into account or while trying to settle the problem with injured parties. Product defects usually cause the harm of a consumer or purchaser. If a patient requires using a clinical tool, the disorder could motive accidents for standard use or the loss of life of the man or woman. These occasions depend on the severity of the faulty part and where it exists. If an oxygen tank explodes or ignites, this could cause extreme or fatal burns or impact harm from the tank itself. A failure to administer remedy thru an IV or with a pump may want to kill a person that needs the drugs to live. Hiring a legal professional for these situations is imperative and might reason severe effect to the manufacturer. The Device Standards and Necessary Information To keep public protection at an all-time excessive, the Standards Program calls for reputation of positive dangers from the producer. Additional topics encompass the request and popularity of different standards needed to improve safety and innovation. The FDA has a 60-day timeframe for requests. If the organization produces a product that might hazard the fitness or well-being of consumers, a special branch requires the organisation to inform the business enterprise to supervise the matter. This could require a recall or a product protection warning to the general public. Medical Malpractice Lawyers There are different procedures for applying extra requirements to growth protections and productivity. The medical device design and educational use is essential as submitted facts to the FDA. The approval process may additionally require beyond regular time if the layout isn't always thru the firstly accepted system or has a trade in design or components for the reason that authentic utility. It is essential to determine if new fashions may want to boom threat via defects or incorrect instructional use. Off-label use can also prove a hassle if the tool has other approaches the patient may additionally administer medicinal drug or treatment than the supposed way as explained by way of the medical doctor or medical staff. If the person suffers damage, it's far important to decide if the manufacturer is at fault. Legal Help with the FDA’s Medical Device Standards The standards are in area via this system to provide expanded protection for the affected person when the usage of the clinical device as told. However, if the damage does arise, the patient may additionally want to lease a attorney to assist with a likely claim.