22 MAY 2019 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: HUMAN RESOURCES T h e i m p o r t a n c e o f S a f e t y Management Systems (SMS) has intensified over the past year (at least in my circles). Unfortunately, this has come at a high cost driven largely by the December 2017 U.S. Coast Guard report on the loss of the cargo vessel El Faro, the July 2018 implemen- tation of Towing Safety Management Systems (TSMS), and the December 2018 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report for the passenger vessel Island Lady fire. Much has been written over the past two decades about the “what” and “why” of SMS’s in mitigating and reducing risk in the commercial maritime industry. Rather than spend more time on “why” you should have an SMS, I’d like to address the opposite side of the coin, “why not?” Likely, each operator wants to be great at what they do; providing great service for their passengers, ensuring their safety and improving from lessons learned. While achieving these, operators also want to operate more efficiently, whether it be reducing breakdowns, reducing lost time incidents, enhancing customer satisfac- tion, keeping good employees, or even expanding the business. If I told you that implementing an SMS could help get you there, what would hold you back? Here’s what I hear: • It’s too expensive; • I don’t have time; • I don’t need it (I’m good enough); • I’m not ready. Do one or more of these apply to you? Hey, we’ve all been there. Back Safety Management Systems: “Starting from Scratch” By CAPT Lee Boone, U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis The LUXForm Haven Improve the passenger experience on your vessel If you want to be great, start small with a process-based management system – but start!