How do Australian maritime experts redefine safety, leadership, and communication in one of the world’s toughest shipping arenas?
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 You’ll Learn:
Why bulk carriers are the “workhorses of the sea” and how Australia became their global hubHow Safe Harbours Australia trains bridge teams for high-stakes decision-makingWhat the Ships of Shame era taught the world about maritime accountabilityHow communication and leadership directly impact safety cultureThe future of maritime safety amid AI, automation, and decarbonizationWhy treating crews as assets — 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/
🌐 Supported by:
CHIRP Maritime & The Seafarers’ Charity
www.chirp.co.uk | www.theseafarerscharity.org
#SeaViews #MaritimeSafety #BulkCarriers #SafeHarboursAustralia #BridgeTeamManagement #CrewWelfare #MaritimeLeadership #PortOperations #CHIRPMaritime #SeafarersCharity