Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) have launched a new Joint Development Project (JDP) to address safety and wellbeing challenges in the superyacht sector. The two organisations formalised the partnership at Metstrade in Amsterdam.
The project will examine how crew wellbeing affects safety-related behaviour on board. Its goal is to promote a proactive, human-centred safety culture across the industry. LR will provide technical expertise and safety-framework knowledge. ISWAN will contribute its welfare experience and direct insights from crew.
The JDP builds on LR’s ongoing safety culture survey of seagoing yachts and management companies. Early results show the industry needs a behaviour-based approach to safety. The findings also highlight the importance of transparency, crew empowerment and smart vessel design.
“Together, LR and ISWAN can create meaningful and lasting change,” said Engel-Jan de Boer, LR’s Global Yacht Segment Director. “Safety is not just compliance; it is about people, leadership and culture.”
ISWAN will help ensure crew wellbeing stays central to the programme. The organisation stresses the strong link between mental and physical health and safe operations. It will also ensure that crew voices shape the project’s direction.
“Crew are at the heart of every safe operation,” said Simon Grainge, ISWAN Chief Executive. “Their experiences must guide how the industry understands and applies safety.”
