Stena Line puts safety first and invests heavily to remain at the forefront of the sea safety field. Stena Line employees have always been recognized for their good sea safety knowledge. Through constant education and training, employees gain the competence and self-confidence needed to ensure that passengers feel safe onboard at all time.
Overriding responsibility for safety is organised in a sea safety department. Safety is always the most important task of all personnel on all ferries, with ultimate responsibility in the hands of the captain.
Stena Line has the same high safety standards on all our routes, even if co-operation with local authorities can vary from country to country.
Stena Line is actively involved in a number of research projects in the sea safety field. These are run in partnership with for example the Chalmers Institute of Technology and SSPA. An example is the current project "REBUS" which is working to develop systems that secure launching and retrieval of rescue vessels in difficult weather conditions.
Continuing sea safety education
All new marine personnel undergo a minimum three-day safety education that includes land-based as well as sea-based training. Depending on their role in the safety organisation, competency and education requirements then increase. Some personnel groups undergo advanced education within such areas as fire knowledge, first aid or crisis management. Each ferry has personnel with advanced medical training. The ferry's sick-berth is equipped with the ship's dispensary and emergency equipment. In addition, all Stena Line ferries are equipped with defibrillators so people can be helped quickly if they have a heart attack.
Regular exercises provide security
A cornerstone in Stena Line's ongoing safety programme is the regular exercises performed both at sea and on land. Every week, personnel are trained onboard Stena Line ferries for different accident scenarios that could well become reality. Major exercises are held on each ferry at least twice annually, in conjunction with organisations such as emergency services, the helicopter squad, coast guard and local hospital.
The land-based disaster organisation performs a large exercise each year where a major sea accident is simulated, as well as a number of smaller exercises.
In total, the Stena Line safety organisation works with about 30 different possible risk scenarios including terrorist attack, different types of fire, collision, leakage damage and storm.
Quality assurance and incident reporting
Stena Line has a recognized quality assurance system that meets the International Safety Management Code (ISM). Maritime authorities in respective countries issue the certificates and act as supervisory authorities. From July 2004, a special certificate relating to preparation to handle a terrorist attack was required.
Learning from accidents and near accidents are important factors in preventative sea safety activities. During 2004 a new incident reporting system was implemented and is now Internet-based, which makes it easier for all employees to access the system. Improved accessibility has led to a further increase in reporting levels.
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