Since its launch in October 2024, EMPAsafe has become an essential tool, enabling port pilots to communicate ship defects effectively and improve both personal and maritime safety. Developed in collaboration with AMURA, the application was created to address a critical industry gap: the lack of centralised communication to enable pilots to share vital information about unsafe transfers, vessel defects, and other operational risks. If this information were available in advance, it could potentially save lives. The latest version, EMPAsafe 1.3, offers new functionalities that further enhance efficiency and accuracy in communication and reporting, making advances in maritime safety even more evident.

Initial functionalities:

The first version of EMPAsafe allowed practitioners to document and share safety concerns more efficiently. Among its key features were:

• Improved communication: EMPAsafe facilitates direct communication between pilots and authorities, resulting in better communication and improved personal and maritime safety.
• Ship defect notifications: Once a defect report has been created, the application sends a push notification to pilots in the next port to warn them of an approaching ship with a potential risk on board.
• Real-time defect reporting: EMPAsafe streamlines the process of reporting defects to port state control authorities in accordance with Article 23 of Directive 2009/146/EC.

What’s new in EMPAsafe 1.3?

This version introduces key enhancements that enable practitioners to further improve their own safety and that of their colleagues.

• Automatic filtering for old reports: In the initial release, all reports were displayed, which could lead to information overload. The new default filter only displays reports from the last 30 days, improving the clarity and relevance of the data.
• Direct report sharing link: One of the most notable new features is the ability to share reports directly. Pilots can now send alerts to colleagues in other ports via communication channels such as WhatsApp or social media.
• Automatic IMO number validation: EMPAsafe now automatically verifies that the vessel’s IMO number is in the correct format to ensure data accuracy. If the number is invalid, the application rejects it.
• Interface and text improvements: The user interface has been updated to simplify navigation and improve text consistency. The report categories have been optimised to provide a cleaner, clearer layout.
• Multiple selection of base ports: Users can now select multiple ports of interest from a drop-down menu, enabling more efficient management of defects on multiple ports simultaneously. Previously, defects could only be displayed for one selected port at a time. This new feature enables users to select multiple specific ports and view all related reports together.

What does the data tell us?

Since its launch, EMPAsafe has gathered valuable information on the most common defects encountered by ship pilots. Some of the most common findings from the dashboard are shown below:

• 45% of incidents are related to ladders that are either improperly lashed or installed incorrectly, which can have serious consequences during transfers.
• Only 13% of defects are reported to the authorities, highlighting the need to foster a better reporting culture.
• As expected, the most common defect relates to practice transfer systems. The most frequent defect is a poorly installed recovery line, followed by scales that are not properly secured.

Why is this tool important?

Analysis of recorded defects and their follow-up reveals several critical areas requiring urgent attention.

• There must be critical focus on pilot transfers. The most frequent defects are ladders that are not properly secured and recovery lines that are not properly installed.
• Underreporting of alarms: 87% of defects go unreported, reflecting a poor communication culture that allows serious problems to be overlooked.

These defects significantly impact personal and maritime safety, exposing both pilots and crews of pilot vessels to unnecessary risk. As numerous accident reports demonstrate, the maritime industry is dangerous, and much remains to be done to reduce the risk faced by those who work in it.

Tools such as EMPAsafe help to prevent accidents and generate valuable data to improve safety in our global industry.

How to access EMPAsafe 1.3?

The EMPAsafe 1.3 app is free and available for iOS and Android devices, and can be downloaded by all maritime pilots. To access the app, pilots from EMPA member countries must send an email or message to their association requesting access.

This measure ensures that the application remains secure and accurate, preventing access by bots or fake profiles.

Join EMPAsafe and take maritime safety to the next level. Thanks to our improvements in communication and defect management, we are creating a network of pilots who rely on accurate and timely information to mitigate risks and ensure safety at sea.