What Crew Members Wish They Had During Shipping Inspections
July 29, 2025 By Yodaplus
Inspections are a regular part of working at sea. They are important for maritime compliance, but they can also be stressful for crew members. Having the right tools and documents ready can make the process smoother, faster, and less tiring.
Here’s what many crew members wish they had during shipping inspections and why it matters.
1. Quick Access to Shipping Documents
Most inspections begin with paperwork. Inspectors often ask for shipping documentation, including manuals, certificates, and checklists. Crew members want all ship documents in one place, clearly labeled, and easy to find. With document intelligence tools, they can pull up the right files within seconds instead of searching through folders.
2. Clear Guidelines for Maritime Regulations
Rules like marpol, Solas, and IMO regulations change often. Crew members wish they had simple summaries or visual guides for these rules. This helps avoid confusion and ensures that everyone knows what’s expected.
3. Ready-to-Show Compliance Records
Inspections check for compliance with the ISM Code, STCW, and maritime environmental compliance. Crew members need updated logs that show drills, equipment checks, and safety routines. Having these records ready helps prove shipping compliance quickly and builds trust with inspectors.
4. Visual Checklists for Safety
During Port State Control or Sire Vetting, inspectors review safety equipment and procedures. Crew members want visual checklists for the Fire Control Plan, LSA Code, and ISPS Code. These help them walk through inspections with confidence and make sure nothing is missed.
5. Easy-to-Use Tools for Reporting Issues
If something is not working, it should be easy to report. Crew members wish for digital forms or quick entry tools. These help log issues related to vessel safety, pollution prevention, or maritime security in real time. This also supports better risk assessment and faster responses from management.
6. Access to Safety Management System
The Safety Management System holds key information for inspections. Crew members want this to be easy to search and always up to date. It should include procedures for HSEQ, Ballast Water Management, Port Operations, and COLREGs.
7. Alerts and Reminders for Inspection Readiness
Most crew members juggle many tasks. They wish for automated alerts to remind them about inspection readiness steps, like checking equipment or updating Nautical Charts. A simple system with alerts can reduce pressure and help them prepare on time.
8. Better Support for Training
Inspections often test knowledge. Crew members wish for quick-access training content, including videos or guides on ISGOTT, imdg code, and regulatory adherence. These help with seafarer training and boost team confidence during audits.
9. Tools That Work in Poor Network Areas
Some inspections happen at ports with limited internet. Crew members want tools that also work offline. This is especially important for those involved in fleet management or ship management, where delays in sharing documents can cause bigger problems.
10. Centralized System for Everything
Above all, crew members want one place to manage all their needs. A centralized platform that handles automated document processing, alerts, checklists, and audit readiness can reduce stress and support better performance during inspections.
Making Inspections Easier with the Right Tools
Inspections are not going away, but they don’t have to be painful. With the right support, crew members can focus more on the job and less on paperwork. When systems are simple, smart, and designed for real-world use, inspections become just another part of the day.
At Yodaplus, we build tools that help crew teams prepare, organize, and manage inspections with ease. Our OceanDocs solution supports fast access to shipping documents, improves inspection readiness, and simplifies daily work across the ship.