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🌊 Can nuclear power transform global shipping, or does the risk outweigh the reward?

In this episode of Sea Views, we sit down with Martin King, Nuclear Systems Manager, and Paul Roberts, Senior Engineer from Naval Solutions Ltd, to unpack one of the most debated and misunderstood topics in modern maritime: nuclear propulsion.

Drawing from decades of experience in submarine operations and nuclear engineering, the conversation breaks down how nuclear reactors actually work at sea, why they are being reconsidered for commercial shipping, and what still stands in the way of adoption.

From reactor design and safety systems to insurance gaps, public perception, and global regulation, this episode delivers a clear, practical look at the realities behind nuclear-powered vessels.

This is not theory. It is the future of maritime being actively debated today.

✅ Key topics discussed:
• What nuclear propulsion is and how it powers ships
• The difference between military and commercial nuclear reactors
• Why nuclear energy is being reconsidered for decarbonising shipping
• The role of microreactors and modular reactor design
• Safety systems, accident scenarios, and intrinsic safeguards
• Insurance, liability, and the lack of global frameworks
• Public perception and the challenge of social acceptance

💬 Join the conversation

Is nuclear power the solution to shipping’s decarbonization challenge, or a risk the industry is not ready to take?

Hosts: Julia Gosling & Adam Parnell
Guests: Martin King (Nuclear Systems Manager) & Paul Roberts (Senior Engineer), Naval Solutions Ltd

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

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🌊 What really happens thousands of meters below the ocean surface, and how do remotely operated vehicles make modern offshore operations possible?

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell sit down with Andy Howie, founder of Pioneer Subsea and former naval submariner, to explore the world of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and the critical role they play across the offshore and maritime industries.

ROV's have also been in the news recently with their capability to support mine clearance in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz.

From offshore energy and subsea cable installation to deep-water surveys, salvage missions and unexploded ordnance detection, ROVs allow operators to work in environments far beyond the limits of human divers.

But what does the job actually involve? Andy explains the technology behind ROV systems, the reality of life operating them offshore, and why the role requires far more than simply piloting a robot underwater.

The conversation also explores how remote operating centres, improved satellite connectivity and new subsea technologies are changing the way ROV operations are conducted around the world.

This is a rare, practical look at one of the most technically demanding roles in the offshore sector.

✅ Key topics discussed:

• What remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are and why they are essential to offshore operations
• Why ROVs can operate deeper and longer than human divers
  
  
• Where ROVs are used today, including offshore energy, subsea cables, UXO detection and salvage operations
  
  
• What life is really like for ROV operators working offshore
  
  
• The technical skills required to work in the ROV industry
  
  
• Why piloting is only one part of the job and maintenance expertise is critical
  
  
• How offshore teams manage safety risks including high voltage systems, hydraulics and subsea hazards
  
  

🎙️ Hosts: Julia Gosling & Adam Parnell | Sea Views
👤 Guest: Andy Howie | Founder, Pioneer Subsea

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send a text

How close are we really to autonomous ships at sea?

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell sit down with Simon Adams, founder of The USV Group, for a clear, operational look at uncrewed surface vessels and what is actually happening on the water today.

This is a straight-talking conversation that cuts through the hype around autonomy and explains how USVs are really being used, how they are regulated, and what this shift means for safety, skills and the future maritime workforce.

From remote operations and human oversight to environmental gains, offshore survey, subsea infrastructure, defence and surveillance, this episode unpacks where USVs already deliver value and where the limits still are.

In this episode you will learn:

• What uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) really are, and how they differ from AUVs and ROVs
• Why most operations today are remotely operated, not fully autonomous
• How regulation is evolving and how international and national regulators are shaping the future of uncrewed vessels
• Where USVs are already being used, including seabed survey, offshore wind, subsea cables, surveillance and defence
• Why USVs can dramatically reduce fuel use and offshore emissions compared with traditional vessels
• How human operators remain central to safety, decision-making and collision avoidance
• What USVs can realistically contribute to search and rescue and incident response
• Whether USVs will really replace seafarers or simply reshape maritime careers
• Why large, fully uncrewed commercial ships are unlikely in the near future
• What needs to change in regulation to safely test and develop this technology in the UK

Hosts: Julia Gosling & Adam Parnell | Sea Views

Guest: Simon Adams | Founder, The USV Group

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send a text

What really happens when a life is on the line hundreds of miles offshore, and what actually makes the difference between rescue and recovery?

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling (former HM Coastguard press office in UK) sits down with Matt Baer, retired US Coast Guard Captain and now Director of Emergency Response at Gallagher Marine Systems, for a straight-talking comparison of UK vs US search and rescue, the reality of offshore response, and the technology that is changing outcomes at sea. From AMVER and vessel-to-vessel assistance to EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, AIS, infrared, and drones, this conversation goes deep into what works, what fails, and what both professionals and recreational boaters still get wrong.

In this episode you will learn:

- How UK vs US maritime search and rescue is structured, from assets to response posture

- Why “People, Environment, Property, Economy” guides every major maritime incident

- How offshore rescues work when the nearest help may be another merchant vessel

- Why AMVER and trade routes can make the difference in mid-ocean cases

- What EPIRBs and personal locator beacons can do to take the search out of search and rescue

- Why beacon registration details matter and how missing info slows response - How AIS, infrared, and aerial surveillance improve detection and reduce uncertainty

- Where drones are helping today, and where limitations still exist

- Matt’s hardest days, including the reality of next-of-kin notifications

- The rescues that made it all worth it, including the Golden Ray case and industry collaboration

Host: Julia Gosling | Sea Views Podcast Guest: Matt Baer | Director of Emergency Response, Gallagher Marine Systems (Retired US Coast Guard) Gallagher Marine Systems: www.gallaghermarine.com

Supported by: CHIRP Maritime & The Seafarers’ Charity www.chirp.co.uk |www.theseafarerscharity.org

#SeaViews #MaritimeSafety #SearchAndRescue #USCoastGuard #EmergencyResponse #EPIRB #PersonalLocatorBeacon #MarineSafety #Yachting #Seafarers

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send a text

🚨 What really happens when yacht crew report incidents, and how many lives has CHIRP already helped save?

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling sits down with Paul Shepherd, Chair of the CHIRP Superyacht Board, to unpack how confidential incident reporting is reshaping safety culture across the superyacht industry. From near misses and falls from height to lithium battery fires, manning levels and harassment on board, this is a straight talking look at what is really happening at sea and what must change.

Paul explains how CHIRP’s Confidential Hazardous Incident Reporting Programme works in practice, why anonymity is non negotiable, and how reports are turned into practical safety lessons that captains, management companies and crew can use immediately. He also digs into the regulatory gap between private and commercial superyachts, and why minimum safe manning is no longer enough for today’s dual season, high intensity programs.

✅ In this episode you will learn:
How CHIRP’s confidential superyacht reporting system actually works from first contact to published lesson
Why near misses are "accidents that did not happen" and how they can prevent the next fatality
The real risk behind work aloft on wet, sloping decks and why flags are now pushing back
Emerging technical dangers, including engine start battery explosions and lithium ion battery fires
How crew welfare, hours of rest, manning levels and cabin conditions link directly to safety on board
Where harassment and abuse fit into the safety picture and how CHIRP and ISWAN work together
Why the regulatory divide between private and commercial superyachts is no longer defensible
What a "minimum operational safe manning" model could look like for busy charter and dual season yachts
How captains, managers and owners can use honest reporting as a mark of professionalism, not weakness
Paul’s direct appeal to yacht crew worldwide to share their own stories and help drive industry change

💬 Join the conversation:
Do you have a near miss story or a lesson learned that others could benefit from, even if it happened years ago? You can message us about what you believe most needs to change in superyacht safety culture and reporting.

📣 How to report to CHIRP:
If you are yacht crew and want to share a safety concern, incident or near miss confidentially, visit the CHIRP Maritime website or app. Reports can be made by phone, email or online, and your identity is fully protected at every stage.
🌐 Website: https://chirp.co.uk/maritime/
📧 Email: mail@chirp.co.uk
☎️ Phone (UK): +44 20 4534 2881

🎙️ Host: Julia Gosling | Sea Views Podcast
👤 Guest: Paul Shepherd | Chair, CHIRP Superyacht Board

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send a text

Bulk Carriers: The Hidden Work Horses of The Sea

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell speak with Matt Shirley (CEO, Safe Harbours Australia) and Marco Blanco (CFO, Safe Harbours Australia) - veteran maritime pilots leading a consultancy that’s reshaping the standards of bridge team management and port safety worldwide.

What we cover:

Why bulk carriers are the “workhorses of the sea” and how Australia became their global hub

• How Safe Harbours Australia trains bridge teams for high-stakes decision-making
• What the Ships of Shame era taught the world about maritime accountability
• How communication and leadership directly impact safety culture
• Why treating crews as assets and not commodities drives operational excellence

About Safe Harbours Australia

With over 140 years of combined commercial shipping experience and 70 years as qualified marine pilots, Safe Harbours Australia delivers independent consultancy, peer reviews, operational assessments, and advanced Bridge Team Management Training. Their expertise covers pilotage safety systems, simulator facilitation, incident investigation, and autonomous shipping design.

🔗 www.safeharbours.com.au


Hosts

Julia Gosling, Host, Sea Views https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaahoy/

Adam Parnell, Director, CHIRP Maritime https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-parnell-chirp/

Guests

Matt Shirley, CEO, Safe Harbours Australia https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-shirley-0435a8206/

Marco Blanco, CFO, Safe Harbours Australia https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-blanco-837b4a192/

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send a text

Shadow Fleet Exposed: Risks to Environment, Trade and Seafarers

In this episode of Sea Views, we uncover the murky world of the Shadow Fleet - hundreds of aging tankers trading sanctioned oil under layers of secrecy and deception. With falsified registries, spoofed signals, and uninsured operations, these vessels operate beyond the reach of international law, posing enormous risks to the environment, global security, and above all, the seafarers who crew them.

Joining us is Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Senior Maritime Intelligence Analyst at Windward, who explains how the Shadow Fleet has expanded since the Russia–Ukraine conflict, why these ships are a looming environmental and humanitarian crisis, and how technology is beginning to shine a light on their hidden movements.

At the heart of this issue are people - thousands of crew working in unsafe and unregulated conditions.

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd

Send a text

Guests:

• Captain Brendan O’Shannassy – Superyacht Captain and maritime safety advocate
• Laura Beard – Welfare of Yacht Crew Project Manager, International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)

“Mental health is health. It’s just the same.” Brendan O’Shannassy

Hosts:

• Julia Gosling – Host, Sea Views Podcast
• Adam Parnell – Director, CHIRP Maritime

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and practical episode of Sea Views, we explore the vital topic of mental health and welfare in the yacht crew sector.
Julia and Adam are joined by returning guest Captain Brendan O’Shannassy and ISWAN’s Laura Beard to discuss the unique pressures faced by superyacht crew, and how industry-wide change can make life at sea safer and more sustainable for everyone on board.

“There’s no judgment on YachtCrewHelp - we’re here for any crew, at any rank.” Laura Beard

Brendan reflects on leadership, fatigue, and the silent strain of command, while Laura shares insights from ISWAN’s helpline Yacht Crew Help, including why many yacht crew don’t initially see themselves as seafarers—and what’s being done to change that.

Key Topics:

• What defines the large yacht sector and who’s working in it
• How mental health is deeply linked to crew safety and performance
• Why perception of the “glamorous” yacht lifestyle often hides the challenges
• Common issues reported to YachtCrewHelp and how the service responds
• The importance of psychological safety, empathy, and leadership onboard
• Awareness campaigns and support for crew at all ranks, from junior to captain

Resources Mentioned:

• YachtCrewHelp (ISWAN): www.iswan.org.uk/yachtcrewhelp/
  A free, 24/7 confidential helpline for all yacht crew, worldwide.

Edited by powwowpodcasts.com

NEWS! If you love listening to us....you can also watch Sea Views episodes on YouTube.

CHIRP
Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme.
Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here

The Seafarers' Charity
Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years.

by Ahoy Communications Ltd