The sea is unpredictable. But safety shouldn’t be. That’s the mindset that brought together maritime experts, researchers, and educators from across Europe to launch OPTIMISM – the Online Programme for Training on International Management of ISM.
Between December 2023 and February 2024, we began laying the foundation for something ambitious: a high-impact e-learning course to improve maritime safety and environmental management worldwide.
We didn’t just dive into content creation—we started by questioning everything. Are current safety practices effective? How is accountability really handled on board? Can human factors be better addressed in training? These weren’t rhetorical questions—they were our mission.
Partners from Sweden, Poland, Spain, and beyond reviewed key regulations, interviewed maritime professionals, and identified gaps in existing practices. We created the first draft structure of the training program, focusing on the ISM Code, safe manning, risk assessment, and management accountability. The result? A solid, research-based roadmap that prioritizes both regulatory compliance and practical training for real-world risks.
OPTIMISM has officially set sail.