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What really happens when a life is on the line hundreds of miles offshore, and what actually makes the difference between rescue and recovery?

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling (former HM Coastguard press office in UK) sits down with Matt Baer, retired US Coast Guard Captain and now Director of Emergency Response at Gallagher Marine Systems, for a straight-talking comparison of UK vs US search and rescue, the reality of offshore response, and the technology that is changing outcomes at sea. From AMVER and vessel-to-vessel assistance to EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, AIS, infrared, and drones, this conversation goes deep into what works, what fails, and what both professionals and recreational boaters still get wrong.

In this episode you will learn:

- How UK vs US maritime search and rescue is structured, from assets to response posture

- Why “People, Environment, Property, Economy” guides every major maritime incident

- How offshore rescues work when the nearest help may be another merchant vessel

- Why AMVER and trade routes can make the difference in mid-ocean cases

- What EPIRBs and personal locator beacons can do to take the search out of search and rescue

- Why beacon registration details matter and how missing info slows response - How AIS, infrared, and aerial surveillance improve detection and reduce uncertainty

- Where drones are helping today, and where limitations still exist

- Matt’s hardest days, including the reality of next-of-kin notifications

- The rescues that made it all worth it, including the Golden Ray case and industry collaboration

Host: Julia Gosling | Sea Views Podcast Guest: Matt Baer | Director of Emergency Response, Gallagher Marine Systems (Retired US Coast Guard) Gallagher Marine Systems: www.gallaghermarine.com

Supported by: CHIRP Maritime & The Seafarers’ Charity www.chirp.co.uk |www.theseafarerscharity.org

#SeaViews #MaritimeSafety #SearchAndRescue #USCoastGuard #EmergencyResponse #EPIRB #PersonalLocatorBeacon #MarineSafety #Yachting #Seafarers

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

🚨 What really happens when yacht crew report incidents, and how many lives has CHIRP already helped save?

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling sits down with Paul Shepherd, Chair of the CHIRP Superyacht Board, to unpack how confidential incident reporting is reshaping safety culture across the superyacht industry. From near misses and falls from height to lithium battery fires, manning levels and harassment on board, this is a straight talking look at what is really happening at sea and what must change.

Paul explains how CHIRP’s Confidential Hazardous Incident Reporting Programme works in practice, why anonymity is non negotiable, and how reports are turned into practical safety lessons that captains, management companies and crew can use immediately. He also digs into the regulatory gap between private and commercial superyachts, and why minimum safe manning is no longer enough for today’s dual season, high intensity programs.

✅ In this episode you will learn:
How CHIRP’s confidential superyacht reporting system actually works from first contact to published lesson
Why near misses are "accidents that did not happen" and how they can prevent the next fatality
The real risk behind work aloft on wet, sloping decks and why flags are now pushing back
Emerging technical dangers, including engine start battery explosions and lithium ion battery fires
How crew welfare, hours of rest, manning levels and cabin conditions link directly to safety on board
Where harassment and abuse fit into the safety picture and how CHIRP and ISWAN work together
Why the regulatory divide between private and commercial superyachts is no longer defensible
What a "minimum operational safe manning" model could look like for busy charter and dual season yachts
How captains, managers and owners can use honest reporting as a mark of professionalism, not weakness
Paul’s direct appeal to yacht crew worldwide to share their own stories and help drive industry change

💬 Join the conversation:
Do you have a near miss story or a lesson learned that others could benefit from, even if it happened years ago? You can message us about what you believe most needs to change in superyacht safety culture and reporting.

📣 How to report to CHIRP:
If you are yacht crew and want to share a safety concern, incident or near miss confidentially, visit the CHIRP Maritime website or app. Reports can be made by phone, email or online, and your identity is fully protected at every stage.
🌐 Website: https://chirp.co.uk/maritime/
📧 Email: mail@chirp.co.uk
☎️ Phone (UK): +44 20 4534 2881

🎙️ Host: Julia Gosling | Sea Views Podcast
👤 Guest: Paul Shepherd | Chair, CHIRP Superyacht Board

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

Bulk Carriers: The Hidden Work Horses of The Sea

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell speak with Matt Shirley (CEO, Safe Harbours Australia) and Marco Blanco (CFO, Safe Harbours Australia) - veteran maritime pilots leading a consultancy that’s reshaping the standards of bridge team management and port safety worldwide.

What we cover:

Why bulk carriers are the “workhorses of the sea” and how Australia became their global hub

• How Safe Harbours Australia trains bridge teams for high-stakes decision-making
• What the Ships of Shame era taught the world about maritime accountability
• How communication and leadership directly impact safety culture
• Why treating crews as assets and not commodities drives operational excellence

About Safe Harbours Australia

With over 140 years of combined commercial shipping experience and 70 years as qualified marine pilots, Safe Harbours Australia delivers independent consultancy, peer reviews, operational assessments, and advanced Bridge Team Management Training. Their expertise covers pilotage safety systems, simulator facilitation, incident investigation, and autonomous shipping design.

🔗 www.safeharbours.com.au


Hosts

Julia Gosling, Host, Sea Views https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaahoy/

Adam Parnell, Director, CHIRP Maritime https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-parnell-chirp/

Guests

Matt Shirley, CEO, Safe Harbours Australia https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-shirley-0435a8206/

Marco Blanco, CFO, Safe Harbours Australia https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-blanco-837b4a192/

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

Shadow Fleet Exposed: Risks to Environment, Trade and Seafarers

In this episode of Sea Views, we uncover the murky world of the Shadow Fleet - hundreds of aging tankers trading sanctioned oil under layers of secrecy and deception. With falsified registries, spoofed signals, and uninsured operations, these vessels operate beyond the reach of international law, posing enormous risks to the environment, global security, and above all, the seafarers who crew them.

Joining us is Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Senior Maritime Intelligence Analyst at Windward, who explains how the Shadow Fleet has expanded since the Russia–Ukraine conflict, why these ships are a looming environmental and humanitarian crisis, and how technology is beginning to shine a light on their hidden movements.

At the heart of this issue are people - thousands of crew working in unsafe and unregulated conditions.

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

Guests:

• Captain Brendan O’Shannassy – Superyacht Captain and maritime safety advocate
• Laura Beard – Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager, International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)

“Mental health is health. It’s just the same.” Brendan O’Shannassy

Hosts:

• Julia Gosling – Host, Sea Views Podcast
• Adam Parnell – Director, CHIRP Maritime

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and practical episode of Sea Views, we explore the vital topic of mental health and welfare in the yacht crew sector.
Julia and Adam are joined by returning guest Captain Brendan O’Shannassy and ISWAN’s Laura Beard to discuss the unique pressures faced by superyacht crew, and how industry-wide change can make life at sea safer and more sustainable for everyone on board.

“There’s no judgment on YachtCrewHelp - we’re here for any crew, at any rank.” Laura Beard

Brendan reflects on leadership, fatigue, and the silent strain of command, while Laura shares insights from ISWAN’s helpline Yacht Crew Help, including why many yacht crew don’t initially see themselves as seafarers—and what’s being done to change that.

Key Topics:

• What defines the large yacht sector and who’s working in it
• How mental health is deeply linked to crew safety and performance
• Why perception of the “glamorous” yacht lifestyle often hides the challenges
• Common issues reported to YachtCrewHelp and how the service responds
• The importance of psychological safety, empathy, and leadership onboard
• Awareness campaigns and support for crew at all ranks, from junior to captain

Resources Mentioned:

• YachtCrewHelp (ISWAN): www.iswan.org.uk/yachtcrewhelp/
  A free, 24/7 confidential helpline for all yacht crew, worldwide.

Edited by powwowpodcasts.com

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send us a text

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

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.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd