Maritime Studies Assessment Briefs: Marine Safety, Officer Retention, and IMO Maritime Safety Standards

These structured assessment briefs reflect updated 2025 academic standards in marine science and maritime management. Each brief aligns with global maritime safety policies, human resource retention strategies, and international regulatory frameworks ensuring safety at sea.

Assessment 1: Marine Safety on Board Vessel

Assignment Overview

This assessment requires students to critically evaluate the safety procedures, protocols, and regulatory requirements necessary to maintain marine safety on board modern vessels. Students must analyze risk management systems, emergency preparedness, and compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify core principles of maritime safety management systems.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of safety culture and leadership on board.
3. Analyze case studies of onboard safety incidents and lessons learned.

Assessment Instructions

• Write a 1,500-word analytical report addressing marine safety operations and policy compliance on vessels.
• Reference IMO guidelines, SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), and ISM Code standards.
• Support with three real-world vessel incident analyses (2015–2025).

Submission Format

Typed, double-spaced report in APA or Harvard format, submitted via institutional LMS by Week 8 of semester.

Peer-Reviewed Sources

• Turner, L. (2023). Maritime Risk and Safety Culture. Journal of Marine Policy, 146, 105430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105430
• Chen, Y., & Lau, W. (2021). Human factors and safety compliance in marine operations. Safety Science, 140, 105312.
• Osei, D. & Park, H. (2022). Safety management practices in maritime transport. Ocean Engineering, 258, 111583.

Assessment 2: The Retention of Ship Officers and Its Benefits in the Maritime Sector

Assignment Overview

This task explores the human resource dimensions of maritime operations, focusing on officer retention challenges and their impact on operational efficiency, safety, and global competitiveness. Students will assess factors influencing retention and propose strategies to improve workforce sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze trends affecting officer retention in global shipping.
2. Evaluate the economic and operational benefits of high retention rates.
3. Recommend HR and welfare initiatives supporting maritime workforce stability.

Assessment Instructions

• Prepare a 1,800-word policy analysis report.
• Incorporate real data from maritime workforce reports (e.g., BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report).
• Discuss retention challenges in Nigerian and global contexts.

Peer-Reviewed Sources

• Chowdhury, R. (2020). Maritime human capital and seafarer retention. Marine Policy, 117, 103945.
• Baumler, R. & Kitada, M. (2021). Seafarers’ welfare and retention: Policy perspectives. Ocean Yearbook, 35(1), 235–261.
• Mensah, K. (2024). Retention strategies in maritime human resource management. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain, 12(3), 44–59.

Assessment 3: The Role of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Towards Maintaining and Enhancing Maritime Safety

Assignment Overview

This assessment examines the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) pivotal role in shaping global maritime safety standards. Students will critically evaluate the effectiveness of IMO conventions, policies, and safety frameworks in reducing maritime accidents and environmental risks.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the structure and mandate of the IMO.
2. Assess IMO conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW in safety regulation.
3. Critically analyze Nigeria’s compliance and implementation performance.

Assessment Instructions

• Write a 2,000-word analytical paper.
• Compare IMO safety frameworks with regional enforcement mechanisms (e.g., Abuja MoU).
• Provide data-supported evaluation from 2018–2025 maritime incident statistics.

Peer-Reviewed Sources

• Kim, S. (2020). The effectiveness of IMO safety conventions. Maritime Policy & Management, 47(8), 945–963.
• Ntow, A., & Okoro, T. (2022). Evaluating IMO’s regulatory influence in West Africa. African Journal of Maritime Studies, 8(2), 110–127.
• Wang, J. (2024). Global maritime governance and safety reforms. Marine Policy, 157, 106653.

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