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AUGUST 2026
The bowtie risk assessment won’t eliminate risk from pas-
senger vessel operations, but it brings structure to how risk 
is identified and managed. It accounts for what could cause 
an incident and what follows if an incident occurs. Most 
operators have a good instinct for where their risks are, the 
bowtie outlines these risks in structured and accessible for-
mat for the whole crew to understand.
A completed bowtie informs the risk management process. 
The controls and mitigations identified in the assessment 
should directly relate to your procedures and training ma-
terials. For example, if a control depends on a crew member 
completing an inspection, that inspection belongs in your 
SMS. If a mitigation requires familiarity with emergency 
equipment, that belongs in your crew training. The bowtie 
tells you what your program needs to address and becomes 
a practical foundation for maintaining a safety manage-
ment system that reflects the actual risks of your operation.
Paige Castagno is an associate consultant with Safety 
Management Systems, LLC. A 2018 graduate of Mas-
sachusetts Maritime Academy, she sailed for five years 
and holds a second mate license. Since joining SMS 
LLC, she has earned internal auditor certifications 
in ISM, ISPS, MLC, and ISO 9001:2015. She works 
with a diverse client base spanning shipping com-
panies, ferry operators, cruise lines, and shipyards, 
conducting internal audits and developing safety 
management systems.
PAIGE CASTAGNO
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT,  
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, LLC
About the Author 

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