What is the reason for reporting near misses or hazards on deck?

• A. To prevent recurrence and improve safety.
• B. To blame someone.
• C. To slow operations.
• D. To fill paperwork for record-keeping only.

Answer: (B)

Reporting near misses or hazards on deck is essential because it helps prevent the same incident from happening again and drives real safety improvements. When a near miss or hazard is shared, the team can investigate what went wrong, identify root causes—like equipment issues, procedure gaps, or training needs—and put fixes in place, such as updated procedures, added checks, or better maintenance. This proactive approach protects people and the ship and keeps operations smoother. It’s about learning and improving, not assigning blame, and it supports a culture where concerns are openly reported so risks are caught before someone is injured. While keeping records matters, the main goal is to stop recurrences and raise overall safety, not just to create paperwork.