Making enclosed spaces on board safer for everyone

EVERY year, seafarers get killed in enclosed spaces - and so do others trying to rescue them. Former ship's master Michael Lloyd has been campaigning on this issue for several years, and has had some impact towards raising awareness.

He is one of the key figures behind a new initiative that is both simple and, I believe, effective. I do not usually get excited about a particular product but last week I went to the launch of the Enclosed Space Management System. It is designed to help effectively assess, audit and manage the safety of enclosed spaces on board ship, and combat the number of accidents and fatalities that, its designers say, all too often occur when problem areas are overlooked. I stand to be corrected but I don't think there is anything else remotely similar in the market.

The system has been developed by distance learning company Videotel, in conjunction with Mines Rescue Marine.