On 28 April 2026, the OPTIMISM project was presented at the PA Safe Operational Advisory Board meeting. Vanessa Makar from C4FF introduced the project’s work to strengthen maritime safety by bridging the gap between compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and its practical application on board.
OPTIMISM has reviewed more than 130 maritime accidents, revealing recurring challenges linked to human factors, including insufficient leadership, weak communication, inadequate supervision and poor risk assessment.
Building on these findings, the project is developing an innovative online course that combines accident-based learning, self-assessment, practical assignments, oral evaluation and virtual reality. The aim is to move beyond regulatory compliance and support a proactive safety culture in which procedures are understood, applied and embedded in everyday maritime operations. The presentation provided a valuable opportunity to share the project’s progress and discuss how education and training can contribute to safer and more resilient maritime operations.