“I’ve Got Your Back” – How SafeTALK is Strengthening Safety at Sea

When Tom O’Hare was invited to speak at the International Maritime Human Factors Symposium (IMFS) in December, his presentation on SafeTALK, the world renowned suicide alertness course, demonstrated the broader benefits of putting welfare first.

SafeTALK is often understood primarily to be a suicide-awareness course. But Tom used his presentation to explore its wider impact on what the industry refers to as human factors – the way people interact with their environment, equipment, procedures and each other onboard a vessel.

BEYOND WELLBEING

Drawing on a case study with shipping company Pacific Basin, Tom outlined how SafeTALK has contributed to meaningful cultural change. The partnership has grown rapidly, from training 256 seafarers in 2024 to more than 1,000 in 2025 – a reflection, he believes, of the course’s perceived value beyond its original remit.

One seafarer feedback comment stood out, “This training gives us assurance that we are heard, and that there are more people willing to listen.”

“For me, those words are key,” Tom explains. “What does it mean for the culture of an organisation when employees truly believe they are being listened to?”

SAFER COMMUNICATION, STRONGER CREWS

According to Tom, one of the clearest impacts of SafeTALK has been improved communication. Seafarers report feeling more confident speaking up under pressure in any situation.

In one example, an internal company helpline saw monthly enquiries increase from around five to more than 30 following the introduction of SafeTALK and related initiatives. “That’s not about suicide,” Tom says. “It’s about contracts, medical issues, all sorts”.

The training has also strengthened team cohesion and trust. Shared learning experiences have helped crews feel more connected to one another, and more confident that both onboard and onshore teams genuinely care about their safety and wellbeing.

EARLY INTERVENTION AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

SafeTALK’s emphasis on noticing, asking and acting has translated naturally into broader safety behaviours. “Alertness to safety becomes part of everyday behaviour,” Tom explains. “When something feels wrong, whether it’s a person or a procedure, they’re more likely to speak up.”

Crucially, the course reinforces shared responsibility. Crew members are encouraged to act where they can, and to pass concerns on when they can’t. “It removes the idea that leadership only comes from the top,” Tom says. “Responsibility and care is distributed across the crew.”

For Tom, that’s the real message. “This isn’t just a course about suicide alertness,” he says. “It’s about building safer, more connected crews. When people feel heard, supported and empowered to act, the benefits ripple out across the entire operation.”

As one seafarer put it simply, “I’ve got your back.”