Following the 52nd SHADE Conference in December 2024, significant changes have been made to streamline voluntary reporting for seafarers. These changes aim to improve clarity, communication, and overall maritime safety. Updates to relevant websites and documentation are currently underway and will be finalized by March 31, 2025, reports Britannia P&I Club.
Single Info Framework
A single information reporting framework will be implemented by March 31, 2025. This framework will encompass the Critical Maritime Information (CMF) system, Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO) (including EUNAVFOR Operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES), and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The aspiration is to expand this framework to include Regional Information Fusion Centres (IFCs) such as IFC (IOR), RMIFC, IFC-Singapore, and RCOC.
Standardized Reporting Formats will be introduced, allowing mariners to utilize the same form for reporting to any chosen entity. Initial reporting to both MSCIO and UKMTO is recommended.
Reports submitted in these standardized formats will be efficiently processed by MSCIO and UKMTO, ensuring consistent dissemination to regional IFCs and industry stakeholders.
UKMTO and MSCIO will continue to serve as central points of contact within the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA), with UKMTO acting as the primary point of contact for emergency response and MSCIO as the secondary point of contact.
Simplifying Report Forms
Incident and Report Forms have been simplified and standardized across all regional reporting centers.
Mariners can now report incidents to either UKMTO or MSCIO. While reporting to both is recommended, constraints based on national and commercial requirements will be respected.
To facilitate information exchange, initial reports will be shared between UKMTO and MSCIO unless specific constraints are in place. In the event of an incident, UKMTO will serve as the primary point of contact and the central hub for information exchange, ensuring rapid dissemination for efficient and effective response and support.
These changes are effective immediately. Websites are being updated to reflect these changes, and all administrative changes, including updates to UKHO Chart Q6099, are expected to be completed by March 31, 2025.
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Source: Britannia P&I Club
