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In this compelling episode of Sea Views, Julia and Adam sit down with Daniel Smith, founder of the charity NeurodiversAtSea, to explore what neurodiversity really means in the maritime world—and why it's time the industry took notice.

Together, they unpack:

• What neurodiversity is and why it matters
• How life at sea can both challenge and empower neurodivergent individuals
• The business case for neurodiversity—productivity, innovation, and retention
• The realities of recruitment and how small changes can open big doors
• Daniel’s personal journey and what inspired him to launch NeurodiversAtSea

Whether you're in HR, onboard, or in the boardroom, this episode will make you rethink how your teams work—and what untapped talent might already be on your radar.

Key Takeaways

• Neurodiversity isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a competitive advantage.
• Simple changes to recruitment and workplace culture can create space for exceptional talent.
• The maritime sector is uniquely placed to lead the way in inclusive employment at sea.

About Our Guest

Daniel Smith is the founder of NeurodiversAtSea, a charity dedicated to raising awareness of neurodiversity within the maritime sector and supporting neurodivergent individuals in their careers at sea. A passionate advocate with lived experience, Daniel is committed to reshaping the future of maritime workplaces—one conversation at a time.

Resources & Links

Learn more about NeurodiversAtSea:LINK

NeurodiversAtSea partnered with Seafarers Hospital Society and The Seafarers' Charity to offer grants for UK based seafarers to access assessments for a range of conditions.  Find out more at LINK or email admin@seahospital.org.uk

Sea Views podcast by Ahoy Communications Ltd and editing by powowpodcasts.com 

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

Ensuring Safety in Offshore Energy: Industry Insights and Future Challenges. 

In this episode of the Sea Views podcast, Graham Skinner of Offshore Energies UK and Pete Lowson from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency discuss safety practices in the offshore oil, gas, and wind industries. They delve into the industry’s safety records, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and the impact of new technologies such as AI and autonomous vessels.

NEWSFLASH!  If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

The conversation highlights the significant employment numbers in these sectors, the shared lessons from past incidents, and future challenges, including climate change and the increasing complexity of managing offshore operations. Both Graham and Pete emphasise the critical importance of continuous improvement, training, and adaptation to ensure safety in these rapidly developing industries.

Topics discussed:

Overview of the Offshore Energy Industry

Safety Records and Improvements

Sharing Safety Lessons Across Sectors

Exercises and Training in Offshore Safety

Differences Between Oil, Gas, and Renewables

Future Challenges, Security and Technological Innovations

Climate Change and Severe Weather

The Future of Oil and Gas in the North Sea

Supporting Maritime Workers

Maritime & Coastguard Agency web site

Offshore Energies UK web site

Sea Views podcast by Ahoy Communications Ltd and editing by powowpodcasts.com 

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

Exploding Myths - Vapour clouds, explosion and new frontiers in firefighting.  Lithium Ion Batteries, Boats & Danger!

In this episode, Adam and I welcome the leading expert on lithium ion battery safety Professor Paul Christensen to talk about the increasingly topical issue of managing the risks of lithium ion batteries in the maritime and port environment.  

Lithium ion batteries have quickly become part of life now in electric vehicles and e scooters for example. On dry land in the UK, Fire services are dealing with one lithium ion battery fire/explosion every day. Thankfully, explosions and fire from malfunctioning lithium ion batteries is not a common problem but the hazard and severity of the incidents is great.  At sea we have seen the catastrophic fires on MV Fremantle Highway and Felicity Ace. 

Paul explains the difference between traditional combustion fires and lithium ion battery incidents and we dive into the science behind thermal runaway, vapour cloud explosion and fire. 

NEW FINDINGS ON DANGERS OF VAPOUR CLOUD INHALATION

Paul’s very recent field trials in February 2025, have discovered new information about harmful molecules in the vapour cloud which appear to be causing more severe inhalation injuries for people than traditional smoke inhalation.  

FIREFIGHTING & SOLUTIONS

Paul’s work involves real world field trials and testing to try to find solutions or better manage the risks but lithium ion battery fires are not extinguished with any of the traditional methods of firefighting which use liquids or remove oxygen.  This presents significant difficulties when tackling this type of fire on a ship at sea with great risk to seafarers who have previously been trained to deal with combustion type fires. 

This episode of Sea Views is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity:

Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

Safe at Sea Allyship & Psychological Safety

Sea Views is spotlighting the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network’s (ISWAN) global campaign: "Safe at Sea… it takes all of us!" – with a focus on the crucial role male seafarers can play as allies to support their women colleagues.

Women seafarers are more than three times as likely to contact ISWAN’s helplines regarding abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or violence – and more than twice as likely to raise concerns about mental health. The campaign calls on the entire maritime community to foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusion at sea.

Georgia Allen, ISWAN’s Projects and Relationships Manager and the campaign lead, explains:

“The concept of allyship is a fantastic one, with the onus on those around you to pay more attention, give more support, and ultimately bring the crew together to create a psychologically safe environment on board.”

Joining the conversation is Sophia Grant from the UK P&I Club. With 30 years of maritime experience, she reflects on how industry attitudes are shifting—recognising mental health and psychological safety as fundamental parts of the safety culture on board.

ISWAN’s Safe at Sea… it takes all of us! campaign is funded by The Seafarers’ Charity and The UK P&I Club. 

Let’s hope that 2025 brings positive changes for seafarers.  

Resources and support:

Link to guides on How to Be An Ally 

Link to ISWAN web site SAFE At SEA

ISWAN SEAFARER HELP Service

ISWAN YACHT CREW HELP Service

Research by Cardiff University’s Seafarers International Research Centre Port Based Welfare Needs Of Women Working on Cargo Ships

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast you can contact these charities for support:

SAFER WAVES For confidential support, email trained volunteers at: support@saferwaves.org

SALUTE HER UK If you need help please contact Paula on Mobile: 07861748522 or via the website: www.saluteher.co.uk

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

Safety In Focus at Portsmouth International Port.

In this episode Ben McInnes, Harbour Master at the busy Portsmouth International Port explains how safety, innovation and decarbonisation is key to port operations:

It’s a very busy harbour with cruise vessels, super yachts, hovercraft, passenger and RO-RO ferries, cargo ships, an inshore fishing fleet, leisure sailors and Royal Navy vessels. 

How does he keep passengers, seafarers, port staff and the harbour pilots safe? 

How is the port caring for the welfare of thousands of international seafarers who visit the port?

How to tackle the emerging maritime transport risks such as lithium battery fires?

Ben also explains how the port is undertaking a ground breaking £28 million pound decarbonisation project including a shore power system for ships, aiming to make Portsmouth International Port the first port in the UK with net zero emissions by 2030. 

Find out more about the Sea Change project for maritime decarbonisation HERE

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

Every year, at least 32,000 fishers lose their lives at sea—out of a global workforce of 39 million.
We speak with Alan McCulla, OBE, Coordinator of the International Fund For Fishing Safety (IFFS), about global efforts to make fishing safer. Alan shares how IFFS is funding life-saving innovations and programs across the world.

In the push towards proving sustainability in this global seafood industry, how much attention is on the people in fishing and their welfare and safety?

“The amount of money being spent to prove fish is caught sustainably far outweighs what’s invested in human safety. Something’s wrong here. If you believe a human life is at least as valuable as a fish—come talk to us.”

Find out more or donate to the International Fund For Fishing Safety HERE 

This episode of Sea Views is supported and funded by The Seafarers’ Charity and CHIRP.

Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

Over 31 million people took a cruise last year. The global cruise market continues to grow, with more vessels launching every year and a revenue forecast for 26% growth in the next 5 years.

We talk with Captain Aseem Hashmi, master of the iconic Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2 about safety and the changes he has experienced and implemented over his 30 year career.

The cruise sector has seen a long term trend in reduction of operational accidents and we ask Aseem for his analysis on how that has been achieved.  Aseem is also insightful about how important the leadership role is for the Captain and officers onboard passenger vessels.  He should know a thing or two about that; with 1,173 crew under his command and up 2,691 passengers in his care, during each voyage onboard Queen Mary 2.

This episode of Sea Views is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity:

Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

As the maritime industry pushes toward decarbonisation, what does it mean for the people on board?

A new report explores the impact of green fuel transitions on seafarers—and the findings are sobering. While most seafarers support the move to reduce emissions, the reality on board tells a more complex story.

We speak with Chirag Bahri from ISWAN and Ian Grainger from The Shipowners’ Club to unpack what 400 seafarers around the world are saying. From increased workloads to rising anxiety about new fuel technologies and compliance pressures, this episode examines the overlooked human dimension of the shipping industry’s green transition.

Link to the full report here

Link to ISWAN here

Link to The Shipowners Club here

Link to Alternative Fuels & Seafarer Safety on The Seafarers’ Charity web site

This episode of Sea Views is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity:

Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

BRIDGE SAFETY

“It's absolutely astonished me how far we've gone with this technology and how far we are going...  using Virtual Reality training solutions”

Captain Andrew Parker, Director Ankar Maritime Safety

Bridge safety is our topic for this episode of Sea Views.  We explore what advancements in safety and training we are benefiting from with new technology like Virtual Reality for training solutions, bridge simulators and remote bridge safety audits.  Captain Andrew Parker also reveals how this incredible technology has been used to help Ukranian seafarers complete their  training following war damage at their facilities. 

Ankar Maritime Safety Link
Kilo Solutions Link 

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING - A global perspective

“We recognise there is a global recruitment challenge for shipping and we forecast a shortfall of 90,000 seafarers by 2026.”

Guy Platten, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping

We cover a fascinating range of current and future issues from recruitment challenges, to piracy and security and the criminalisation of the seafarer. 

Guy spoke about decarbonisation and estimates there are 800,000 seafarers who need training for new fuels by the 2030’s.

“The industry is ready to invest but ship owners need to know what ships to order.  We need governments to make strategic decisions and laws to enable new fuel infrastructure, transport and storage."

Watch the International Chamber of Shipping’s film “An Adventurous Spirit” about a career at sea.

This episode of Sea Views is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity:

Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“AI could help us identify fresh patterns of risk in our data on port safety before the serious accidents even happen.”

Debbie Cavaldoro, CEO at Port Skills & Safety

The port is the interface between ships and land.  Two interlinked but separate workforces must understand each other’s operations in order to interact safely and that is the role for the organisation Port Skills & Safety.  Julia and Adam are in conversation with their Chief Executive Debbie Cavaldoro about how to get everyone home safely whether they are seafarers, port workers or entering the port from the outside like hauliers and contractors. 

Port Skills & Safety website 

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

In this episode of Sea Views podcast I am talking with the CEO’s of two vital charities which support seafarers who have suffered sexual violence.  Becky Newdick founded Safer Waves and Paula Edwards runs Salute Her UK.  

We recorded this episode during the recent campaign by the World Health Organisation “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”.  

We talk about how prevalent the issue is for women working at sea especially, and why this job puts seafarers in such a uniquely vulnerable environment compared to shore jobs.

Recent research shows that the majority of women working at sea in the cargo sector have suffered sexual violence and harassment;  Port Based Welfare Needs Of Women Working on Cargo Ships

What are the consequences for people dealing with the trauma from these incidents and what are some of the solutions to improve the future working environment at sea for seafarers?

If I sound a little gloomy in this episode that is because I was feeling sad.  This is a bleak topic and I can’t pretend otherwise.   

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast please make contact with the charities for support:

SAFER WAVES For confidential support, email our trained volunteers at: support@saferwaves.org

SALUTE HER UK If you need help please contact Paula on Mobile: 07861748522 or via the website: www.saluteher.co.uk

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“If there is one thing I would change to improve safety onboard ships it’s safe manning requirements.”

Captain Yves Vandenborn, Head of Loss Prevention Asia-Pacific, North Standard

P&I Protection & Indemnity is insurance for ships, crew and cargo.

Julia and Adam were lucky enough to find a one hour slot to talk with loss prevention specialists from P&I clubs at opposite ends of the world.  We met with Bill Moore from New York who works for The American Club at his breakfast table and we caught up with Yves Vandenborn from North Standard during dinner time in Singapore.  We had an insightful conversation with these two experts in their field, exploring the role of insurance in maritime safety.  If you thought insurance was a bit dull. think again. 

Some high profile incident claims have run into $billions such as the Costa Concordia cruise ship and more recently, the container vessel Ever Given which blocked the Suez Canal, but do you know what are the three main categories of claims? 

We find out how insurance is playing a role in supporting better safety across members’ fleets. What are the new risks for insurers with the move towards decarbonisation in shipping and transportation of electric vehicles? 

As a seafarer, is my Rolex watch covered?  What priority is given to improving seafarer mental health? What is the Dark Fleet and are you covered in a war zone?  Find out those answers and more by listening.

Given that these two experts are part of a group of insurers who represent 90% of global shipping, they have a unique perspective on maritime risk so let’s hear what they both think needs to change to improve safety on board ships.

Both P&I Clubs provide safety resources and links to their web sites are here:

American Club

North Standard 

This episode of Sea Views is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity.

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“We need to pay more attention to fishing to make it safer because there are 35 million fishers going to sea and catching fresh fish and seafood for the world.  So 24 out of every 25 seafarers in the world, work in fishing”

Cor Blonk, at FISH Platform 

Julia and Adam talk with Cor Blonk, from FISH Platform, which is working to raise safety standards in fishing around the world and reduce the number of deaths in fishing globally which is estimated to be anywhere between 20,000 and 100,000 deaths per year. 

Find out what some of the barriers are to making this a safer job, what role do regulations or lack of them play and what solutions can be developed to make a difference for the future? 

A new International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) has been announced by Lloyd's Register Foundation which aims to support projects to improve safety in international fishing communities.  Find out more here.

Find out more about FISH Platform here and to join you should email cblonk@pelagicfish.eu

This episode of Seaviews is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity 

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“No captain starts out with the aim of being a toxic leader.”

Brendan O’Shannassy,  author of Super Yacht Captain

Toxic leadership can decimate a team and compromise safety on board a ship.

Julia and Adam hold a challenging and insightful conversation with Brendan O’Shannassy, author of Super Yacht Captain and Tom Sharpe, OBE, Naval Commander (retired), exploring the impact of toxic leadership on those working at sea and also touching on observations upon what good leadership looks like.  

The Seafarers' Charity has supported The Nautical Institute’s development of a training programme for seafarers with the aim of reducing toxic leadership at sea.  Find out more at Leadership Programmes  

This episode of Seaviews is supported and funded by CHIRP and The Seafarers’ Charity:

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“It is important that seafarers are not considered collateral damage in this huge move towards green fuels.”

Jeff Parfitt, Nautical Institute

Shipping is responsible for 3% of global greenhouse emissions.

Julia engages in an insightful conversation with Jeff Parfitt, Head of Safety & Environment at The Nautical Institute, exploring the impact of green fuels on the maritime sector.  What are the challenges of keeping seafarers safe amidst the rapid changes?

In July 2023, IMO announced new climate emissions targets for shipping – current targets

The Nautical Institute website and read their Green Fuels Seaways article here

IMO World Maritime Theme for 2024; Maritime safety in an era of new technologies and alternative fuels  - more details 

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“The problem with statistics is that it’s a bummer when it’s you!”

― Arie Palmers, Maritime Pilot

This is an in-depth discussion of the risks involved in maritime pilot transfers; an interesting job but with a risky commute to work.

Sadly there have been 7 deaths associated with maritime pilot transfer operations already in the first 6 months of 2023. 

What are the current international regulations for ships and what are the barriers to reducing the risk? How can individuals, the industry, ports and ship builders make changes to save lives in the future?

Guests:

Andrew Moll, OBE, Chief Inspector at Marine Accident Investigation Branch 

Arie Palmers, Senior Maritime Pilot working in the Netherlands

Adam Parnell, Director at CHIRP Maritime Charitable Trust

Resources and links:

Visit the MAIB web site and submit a report here

Visit IMPA – International Maritime Pilots Association for resources and if you are working as a pilot you can download the IMPA incident reporting App 

Pilot Ladder Safety web site

Read the detailed Snakes OR Ladders report 

Follow Arie Palmers on  Linked In for weekly “Ladder Misery”

Read about the recent prosecution by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Send us a text

“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.”

― Eleanor Roosevelt

Julia interviews Adam Parnell, Director of the Maritime Programme at CHIRP.  We reveal the importance of utilising the confidential incident and accident reporting system offered by CHIRP. Discover how the data from thousands of reported incidents annually contributes to enhancing safety at sea worldwide.

We uncover why both seafarers and employers should adopt the STOP WORK principle.
Do you know what Dunbar’s magic number is?
 
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube at CHIRP Maritime or The Seafarers' Charity channels.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.