Communication at the core of a resilient safety culture

A strong communication culture builds trust and psychological safety, encouraging crew to speak up, give feedback, and question decisions without fear. In unpredictable emergencies, open dialogue ensures coordinated judgment and that all voices contribute to effective solutions

Recent work by the Britannia P&I Club and CONOVAH, as published in “Enhancing Decision-Making and Safety through Effective Communication and Feedback,” reinforces the idea that strong communication practices enable not only accurate information exchange but also sound decision-making and psychological safety.

Case study insights: Communication in crisis

The guide begins with a case study of an incident in which cognitive biases, time pressures, and poor information flow contributed to poor decision-making. The scenario illustrates how situational and human factors can combine to overwhelm crews if communication falters.

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The key lesson is that while individual judgment may be fallible, structured communication can improve awareness, uncover hidden assumptions, and help teams coordinate more effectively under stress.

Communication theories in practice

#1 The Transactional Model of Communication

The transactional model views communication as a continuous, interactive process where sender and receiver influence one another. In maritime contexts, this reminds crews that orders must be both delivered and understood; communication succeeds only when feedback is incorporated.

#2 Social Identity Theory

Social Identity Theory highlights the importance of a shared sense of belonging. When crew members view themselves as part of a cohesive team, they are more likely to speak up and support each other in times of stress. This sense of unity is vital in safety-critical environments, where hesitation or silence can have severe consequences.

Together, these theories emphasize that effective communication is dynamic, relational, and inseparable from crew identity and cohesion.

Strengthening onboard communication

Maritime operations demand structured communication strategies that can withstand the pressures of high-stakes environments. The following practices are particularly effective:

1. Use of standardized terminology
Clear, agreed-upon phrases – such as “Fire team to deck 4, starboard side” – eliminate ambiguity and speed up response in emergencies.

2. Closed-loop communication
By repeating instructions back to the sender, crew members confirm accuracy and prevent misinterpretation.

3. Active listening and teamwork
Active listening requires full attention to both words and intent, ensuring messages are properly understood and strengthening interpersonal trust.

4. Role clarity
Defined roles and responsibilities reduce duplication and confusion during emergencies, allowing for smoother communication and execution.

5. Adapting styles to individuals
Recognizing that some crew members need concise directions while others benefit from collaborative discussion enhances overall effectiveness.

6. Debriefing and feedback
Structured debriefs after drills and incidents reinforce learning, highlight strengths, and identify communication gaps.

Guarding against groupthink

While communication fosters collaboration, it also introduces risks such as groupthink. In tightly knit teams, the desire for harmony can override critical evaluation, leading to flawed or unsafe decisions.

Leaders can counter groupthink by actively encouraging dissent, seeking diverse perspectives, and framing disagreement as constructive. For example, during a navigation exercise, a bridge team avoided danger by convening a rapid discussion and pooling insights before adjusting course—a demonstration of communication as a safeguard.

Navigating difficult conversations

Why difficult talks are avoided

Crew members may avoid raising concerns due to fear of conflict, lack of confidence, discomfort, or assumptions about how others will react. In a maritime setting, such avoidance can allow risks to go unaddressed.

Overcoming barriers

Constructive communication requires curiosity, respect, and the willingness to embrace discomfort. Training should focus not only on technical terminology but also on equipping crew to handle sensitive safety conversations without fear.

Organizational culture as an enabler

The effectiveness of individual communication practices is shaped by the broader organizational culture. A safety culture rooted in trust and learning empowers crew members to speak up, while one dominated by hierarchy and blame stifles openness.

Key enablers of a safety-focused communication culture include:

Clear and consistent protocols for safety-critical communication.
Proactive reporting of near-misses without fear of punishment.
Training in active listening, feedback, and difficult conversations.
Recognition and rewards for proactive communication that enhances safety.
Regular safety forums where communication challenges are discussed openly.

By embedding these principles, organizations transform communication from an individual responsibility into a shared duty.

Final thoughts

Communication is the thread that binds technical expertise, human judgment, and organizational values into a resilient safety culture. By combining theory with practice, standardized terminology, closed-loop communication, role clarity, adaptive styles, and feedback, maritime organizations can reduce risk and strengthen resilience.

At the same time, leaders must remain vigilant against groupthink, support difficult conversations, and nurture cultures that prioritize openness over silence. In doing so, communication evolves from a routine task into a powerful safeguard, ensuring not only operational efficiency but also the safety of ships, crew, and cargo.