Behavioural Competency Assessment & Verification for Seafarers
An evidence-based approach to assessing behavioural competence, operational performance, leadership, communication, teamwork, decision-making and situational awareness within vessel operations.
What Is Behavioural Competency Assessment?
Behavioural Competency Assessment & Verification (BCAV) is a structured approach to evaluating how seafarers apply behavioural competencies while performing their operational responsibilities.
Technical knowledge, professional qualifications and certification remain fundamental to safe ship operations. However, effective performance also depends on how individuals communicate, make decisions, work within teams, maintain situational awareness and respond to changing operational conditions.
Behavioural competency assessment therefore focuses on observable behaviour within an operational context rather than attempting to assess personality, personal characteristics or subjective impressions.
Why Behavioural Competence Matters in Vessel Operations
Shipboard operations frequently require personnel to make decisions under time pressure, communicate across departments, coordinate multiple activities and respond to changing environmental or operational conditions.
A technically qualified seafarer may possess the required certificates and knowledge while still requiring development in areas such as leadership, communication, decision-making or team coordination.
Behavioural competency assessment provides vessel operators with an additional method for examining these human-performance factors as part of broader competence management and marine assurance processes.
Human Performance
Examines how individuals apply knowledge and skills during actual operational activities and changing vessel conditions.
Team Effectiveness
Considers communication, coordination, cooperation and information sharing between personnel performing operational duties.
Operational Decision-Making
Examines how available information, risk, priorities and escalation requirements are considered when making operational decisions.
Safety Culture
Supports identification of behaviours that may strengthen or weaken communication, challenge, leadership and risk awareness.
The Six Core Behavioural Competency Domains
A behavioural competency assessment may use six core domains associated with the OCIMF/INTERTANKO behavioural competency framework for maritime personnel.
Team Working
Examines cooperation, coordination, support of colleagues, contribution to team objectives and the ability to maintain effective working relationships during routine and demanding operations.
Communication & Influencing
Considers whether information is communicated clearly, accurately and at the appropriate time, including the ability to influence others and confirm understanding during critical activities.
Situation Awareness
Assesses the ability to understand the operational environment, recognize developing hazards, identify changes in conditions and maintain an appropriate overview of the situation.
Decision Making
Examines how decisions are reached, including identification of available information, consideration of risk, prioritization and appropriate escalation when required.
Results Focus
Considers the ability to achieve operational objectives while maintaining appropriate standards, controls and attention to safety and quality.
Leadership & Managerial Skills
Examines leadership behaviour, delegation, supervision, planning, accountability, motivation and the ability to establish clear expectations within the team.
How Behavioural Competency Can Be Assessed
A robust assessment should use multiple sources of evidence rather than relying on a single interview or subjective opinion.
| Evidence Method | Purpose | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Observation | Observe actual behaviour during operational activities. | Navigation, cargo operations, mooring, engineering and emergency or abnormal situations. |
| Interview / Questioning | Examine reasoning, understanding and previous behavioural responses. | Decision-making, leadership, communication and risk management scenarios. |
| Document / Record Review | Compare behavioural evidence with available operational records. | Reports, drills, safety observations, incident records and relevant performance documentation. |
| Scenario / Simulation | Examine behaviour when responding to controlled scenarios. | Emergency response, abnormal situations and critical decision-making. |
| Operational Data | Use legitimately available operational information to support assessment conclusions. | VDR or other relevant operational information where appropriate and available. |
Behavioural Indicators: Positive and Negative Evidence
Behavioural assessment becomes more useful when competency domains are translated into observable indicators that can be considered within the operational context.
Positive Behavioural Indicators
Examples may include clear communication, active listening, appropriate challenge, effective delegation, anticipation of developing hazards, structured decision-making and constructive teamwork.
Negative Behavioural Indicators
Examples may include poor information sharing, failure to challenge unsafe conditions, weak situational awareness, inappropriate delegation, delayed escalation or decisions that are not supported by available information.
Behavioural Competency and Operational Areas
Assessment can be integrated into different vessel activities depending on the scope of the assignment and the operational opportunities available.
Assessment Ratings and Evidence-Based Evaluation
A behavioural competency programme may use a structured rating system to provide consistency between assessments.
PAMS may use an internal structured scale for individual assignments, provided that the scale is clearly identified as a PAMS assessment tool and is not presented as an official OCIMF rating system.
| Rating | General Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0 | Not observed / insufficient opportunity to assess. |
| 1 | Unsatisfactory behavioural performance. |
| 2 | Needs significant improvement. |
| 3 | Meets the expected standard. |
| 4 | Strong and consistent performance. |
| 5 | Exemplary or proactive behavioural performance. |
The above 0–5 structure is an example of a PAMS structured assessment approach. It should not be represented as official OCIMF/INTERTANKO rating terminology.
From Assessment to Competency Development
The objective of behavioural competency assessment should not be limited to producing a score. Greater value is obtained when the assessment identifies specific behaviours that can be reinforced, corrected or developed.
Identify Strengths
Recognize behavioural practices that contribute positively to safe and effective vessel operations.
Identify Development Areas
Establish specific behavioural areas where additional coaching, mentoring, training or operational exposure may be beneficial.
Support Competence Management
Provide additional evidence that can support an operator's broader competence management and development processes.
Improve Safety Culture
Encourage behaviours that support effective communication, challenge, leadership, teamwork and risk awareness.
Behavioural Competency Is Not the Same as Technical Competence
Behavioural competency and technical competence are complementary rather than interchangeable.
Technical competence concerns the knowledge, skills, qualifications and practical ability required to perform a specific role. Behavioural competency concerns how those capabilities are applied through interaction, communication, decision-making, leadership, situational awareness and teamwork.
Behavioural Competency and the ISM System
Behavioural competency assessment does not replace the International Safety Management (ISM) Code or an operator's Safety Management System (SMS).
Instead, behavioural assessment can provide additional evidence that may support competence management, leadership development, safety culture initiatives, internal assurance and continuous improvement.
Findings should therefore be integrated carefully into existing company procedures rather than treated as an independent replacement for statutory, class or company requirements.
Common Behavioural Risk Indicators
Communication Breakdown
Important information is not communicated, acknowledged or confirmed during an operational activity.
Failure to Challenge
Personnel observe potentially unsafe conditions but do not appropriately question, challenge or escalate them.
Weak Situational Awareness
Changes in operational conditions or developing hazards are not recognized early enough.
Unclear Leadership
Responsibilities, priorities or expectations are not effectively communicated to the team.
Decision-Making Deficiencies
Decisions are made without adequately considering available information, operational risk or escalation requirements.
Team Coordination Problems
Individuals or departments do not effectively coordinate their activities during complex or time-critical operations.
What a Behavioural Competency Assessment Can Deliver
Assessment Report
Structured findings covering the agreed behavioural competency domains and assessment scope.
Evidence Summary
Recorded observations, interview evidence and other relevant information supporting assessment conclusions.
Development Recommendations
Practical recommendations addressing identified behavioural strengths and development requirements.
Management Feedback
Clear technical feedback that can support vessel management, competence development and marine assurance activities.
OCIMF / INTERTANKO Behavioural Competency Framework
The Behavioural Competency Assessment and Verification concept is associated with the OCIMF/INTERTANKO framework for assessing behavioural competence in seafarers.
The framework recognizes that behaviour and attitude are important elements of a positive safety culture and provides guidance for assessing and verifying behavioural competence.
The framework should be used as a technical reference rather than represented as a statutory certification scheme.
How PAMS Approaches Behavioural Competency Assessment
PAMS applies an evidence-based approach designed to examine behavioural performance within the operational context of the vessel and assignment.
The methodology may combine direct observation, structured questioning, operational evidence and review of relevant records, depending on the agreed scope and practical opportunities available during the assessment.
The emphasis is placed on observable behaviour, operational decision-making, communication, leadership, teamwork and situational awareness rather than personality profiling.
The assessment can therefore be adapted to the vessel type, operational environment, rank, responsibility and specific objectives established by the vessel operator.
Conclusion
Behavioural competency is an important component of effective human performance in maritime operations. Technical qualifications establish the required professional foundation, while behavioural competence influences how effectively people communicate, coordinate, lead, assess risk and make decisions in real operational situations.
A structured Behavioural Competency Assessment & Verification programme can provide vessel operators with additional evidence for competence management, leadership development, safety culture and marine assurance.
When properly conducted, the objective is not simply to assign a rating. It is to identify observable behaviours, understand their operational significance and support continuous improvement in individual and organizational performance.
Related Behavioural Competency Resources
Explore the related PAMS service, case study and technical article resources for additional information concerning behavioural competency assessment and verification.
Behavioural Competency Assessment FAQ
What is Behavioural Competency Assessment?
Behavioural Competency Assessment is a structured process for evaluating observable behaviours that influence operational performance, including teamwork, communication, situational awareness, decision-making, results focus and leadership.
Is behavioural competency the same as technical competence?
No. Technical competence concerns knowledge, skills, qualifications and practical ability, while behavioural competence concerns how those capabilities are applied through communication, leadership, teamwork, decision-making and situational awareness.
Is Behavioural Competency Assessment an OCIMF certification?
No. Behavioural Competency Assessment & Verification is an assessment and verification approach. It should not be presented as an OCIMF certification or statutory certificate.
What are the six behavioural competency domains?
The six core domains are Team Working; Communication and Influencing; Situation Awareness; Decision Making; Results Focus; and Leadership and Managerial Skills.
How is behavioural evidence collected?
Depending on the assessment scope, evidence may include direct observation, structured interview or questioning, document and record review, scenario or simulation activities and legitimately available operational data.
Can behavioural competency assessment support the ISM system?
Yes. It can complement competence management, safety culture, leadership development and continuous improvement activities, but it does not replace the ISM Code, Safety Management System or statutory and class requirements.
Can the assessment be applied to different vessel types?
Yes. The assessment scope and operational observations can be adapted to the vessel type, rank, responsibilities, operating environment and objectives of the assignment.
What is the main objective of behavioural competency assessment?
The objective is to identify observable behavioural strengths, development requirements and behaviours that may influence operational performance, safety and marine assurance.
About the Technical Author
Technical Content Review
Last Technical Review
September 2026
Review Frequency
Technical content is reviewed periodically to maintain alignment with applicable international maritime regulations, recognized industry guidance and current technical practices.
Engineering Reference Notice
This article provides general technical information concerning behavioural competency assessment and verification in maritime operations. The actual assessment scope depends on vessel type, rank, operational environment, company procedures, available evidence, client requirements and agreed attendance arrangements. Findings are based on the conditions and information available during the assessment and do not constitute a guarantee of future operational performance.
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