Strong relationships onboard save lives.
How CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT improves safety onboard.
CRM is a lifesaver – here’s why.
Crew Relationship Management is a vital part of training for everyone in aviation. Emphasising open communication and mutual trust, it was designed to flatten the hierarchy and promote collaboration.
How CRM came to be
It all started back in the 1970s when the clever bods at NASA found that most aviation accidents were a result of human error, rather than mechanical failing. Out of these studies emerged CRM – Crew Resource Management – a training programme focussed on:
- effective teamwork
- communication
- leadership
- situational decision-making
United Airlines was the first commercial airline to adopt CRM training all the way back in 1981, but by the 1990s, CRM training was established as the global standard for flight crews to maximise safety and efficiency in airline operations.
From the cockpit to the bridge – CRM is adapted to MRM & HELM for seafarers
CRM has also been adapted to suit maritime industry needs, although with maritime teams being typically bigger than your average flight crew, an extra layer of specificity was involved – BRM refers to Bridge Resource Management while ERM is not erm, like ‘errrrm….’ but rather is a part of BRM, relevant to the Engine Room. Happily, to avoid all these complicated divisions, the whole lot was consolidated in the early 2000s and is now referred to as MRM – Maritime Resource Management. While in yachting, the HELM (Human Element, Leadership & Management) course is mandatory for all crew. Oooof.
When poor communication turns deadly
Anybody who’s worked with a bossy kind of boss knows how difficult it is to voice concerns or stand up to them when you think they’re wrong. A tragic example is Korean Air flight 801 which crashed in Guam in 1997. Investigators cited poor communication between the pilot, first officer and flight engineer as a major factor. The lesson? Hierarchy and fear of speaking up can be fatal. Both aviation and maritime industries now stress collaborative leadership and two-way communication, ensuring even the most junior crew feel safe to raise concerns. Do tanker crew and superyacht crew, have the same safety training as A380 crew and executive jet crew? Broadly speaking, yes. There are, of course big differences in the way these types of crews operate – but here at U-Crew, we love all kinds of crew – so here’s a quick comparison for you to enjoy!
Commercial aviation
- Small cockpit teams of 2-4 pilots
- rapid decision-making under seconds of pressure
- cockpit culture shift from “Captain is King” to “Collaboration is Key”
Private aviation
- micro-teams of 2 pilots and a steward onboard
- rapid decision-making
- added stressor of owner/guests demands
Commercial maritime:
- longer, more isolated journeys
- larger, multinational crews with potential language and cultural divides crises develop
- over hours or days, rather than seconds
- key challenges include fatigue & poor mental health
- communication at risk across rotating watches.
Private maritime (yachting)
- small-mid-size teams with multiple roles – a deckhand might double as lookout or
- tender operator, for example.
- long shifts and close-quarter living
- owner or VIP guest demands may compromise safety
TL/DR
CRM/MRM/HELM training emphasises the importance of teamwork, collaboration and communication in enhancing safety in the skies and on the sea. Each role must respect the other, empowering all crew to feel safe to flag any concerns or observations, because after all, the safety of the vessel is the safety of everyone on board.