THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS ON BOARD A SHIP

This study examined the role of communication systems on board a ship, with particular focus on their impact on the safety to board a ship. The main objective was to determine the relationship between communication practices and safety outcomes during board a ship. The population comprised maritime personnel involved to board a ship, and a sample of 300 respondents was selected using Taro Yamane’s formula and purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire validated by experts in maritime safety and communication. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed a significant relationship between the effectiveness of communication systems and the safety to board a ship. Results further showed that communication barriers significantly contribute to incidents during board a ship, while the adoption of structured communication practices positively affects safety outcomes. Interestingly, technological advancements in maritime communication systems did not significantly reduce the occurrence of accidents during board a ship, suggesting that human factors and operational discipline play a more critical role than technology alone. Based on these findings, the study concluded that clear and structured communication is essential for enhancing safety when board a ship. It recommends implementing standardized communication protocols, training personnel on effective communication practices, and addressing human-related barriers to reduce risks during board a ship. The study contributes to knowledge by emphasizing the dominance of human and organizational factors over technology in maritime safety and provides practical strategies for improving communication on board ships.