Since its launch in October 2024, EMPAsafe It has become a critical tool for port pilots to effectively communicate vessel defects to each other, improving both personal safety and maritime safety. Developed in collaboration with AMURA, the application was born to fill a critical gap in the sector: the absence of centralized communication that would allow pilots to share key information about unsafe transfers, ship defects, and other operational risks that, if known in advance, could save lives. With the arrival of the version EMPAsafe 1.3, advances in maritime safety are even more evident, offering new functionalities that improve efficiency and accuracy in communication and reporting.
Main Functionalities
The first version of EMPAsafe It allowed pilots to document and share safety-related concerns more efficiently. Among its outstanding features were:
- Improved communication: EMPAsafe facilitates direct communication between practitioners and authorities, resulting in improved communication, personal safety and maritime safety.
- Notifications of defects in ships: Once a defect report is created, the application sends a notification push to the pilots of the next port, warning them that a ship with a possible risk on board is approaching.
- Real-time defect reporting: EMPAsafe speeds up the defect notification process to the port State control authorities, in accordance with Article 23 of Directive 2009/146/EC.
What’s new in EMPAsafe 1.3
Version 1.3 introduces key improvements that allow pilots to continue to advance in improving their security and that of their peers:
- Automatic filter for old reports: In the initial version, all reports were displayed, which could lead to information overload. With the new default filter in this release, only reports from the last 30 days are displayed, improving the clarity and relevance of the data.
- Direct link to share reports: One of the most outstanding features of this new version is the ability to share reports directly. Pilots can send alerts to their peers in other ports through communication channels such as WhatsApp or social media.
- Automatic IMO Number Validation: EMPAsafe now automatically verifies that the ship’s IMO number is formatted correctly, ensuring the accuracy of the data. If the number is invalid, the app rejects it.
- Improvements to the interface and texts: The user interface has been adjusted to simplify navigation and improve consistency in texts. The report categories have been optimized, offering a cleaner and clearer design.
- Multiple Base Port Selection: Users can now select Several ports of interest from a drop-down menu, which allows for more efficient management of defects on several ports at the same time. Previously, only defects from a single selected port could be displayed. With this new feature, it is possible to choose multiple specific ports and consult all related reports together.
What does the data tell us?
Since its launch, EMPAsafe has collected valuable information on the main defects faced by pilots on ships. Here are some of the most common results extracted from the dashboard:
- The 45% of incidents are related to poorly cracked or poorly installed ladders, an issue that can have serious consequences during transfers.
- Only the 13% of defects are communicated to the authorities, highlighting the need to promote a better reporting culture.
- As expected, the most common defect is related to internship transfer systems. Improperly installed recovery line, followed by Scales not properly secured.
Why is this tool important?
The analysis of the defects registered and their follow-up highlights several critical areas that require urgent attention:
- Critical focus on internship transfers: The most frequent defects are poorly secured scales and the Improperly installed recovery lines.
- Alarm for underreporting: The 87% of defects are not reported, reflecting a poor communication culture that allows the industry to overlook serious issues.
The impact of these defects on personal and maritime safety is significant, exposing both pilots and pilotboat crews to unnecessary risks. As numerous accident reports demonstrate, the maritime industry is not without dangers, and much remains to be done to reduce the risk faced by those who work in it.
Tools such as EMPAsafe Not only do they help Prevent accidents, but also generate Valuable data to improve safety in our global industry.
How to access EMPAsafe 1.3?
The app EMPAsafe 1.3 It is free and available for devices iOS and Android, and can be downloaded by all maritime pilots. To access the application, pilots from EMPA They must send an email or message to their association requesting access.
This measure ensures that the application is maintained safe and accurate, preventing access to Bots or fake profiles.
Join EMPAsafe and takes maritime safety to the next level. Through our improvements in communication and defect management, we are creating a network of pilots who rely on accurate and timely information to ensure that maritime safety is secured. Mitigate risks and ensure safety at sea.