Seafarer Safety in High-Risk Waters: What October’s IMO Updates Mean for Crewing Teams

Maritime security risks are no longer a distant contingency for crewing teams. In October 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reported 100 confirmed incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East, with 24 seafarer fatalities recorded as of 9 October. Separately, IMO reported that 44 seafarers had been freed from three hijacked vessels in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region, while five crew members died during the rescue operation involving HONOUR 25. These figures refer to different incident groupings and should not be added together.

What the latest IMO updates tell us

The latest updates show that crews face different but overlapping threats: attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, and piracy and armed robbery in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. On 2 October, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called for renewed international cooperation to address piracy after the release of HONOUR 25, SEAMULL (also known as SIBU 1) and EUREKA. IMO also said 22 seafarers remained in captivity aboard ASANA.

The operational message is clear: security planning cannot be treated as a one-time voyage-planning exercise. Conditions change, and crewing, operations, designated security officers and shore management need a shared process for reviewing risks and acting on new information.

What crewing teams should do now

1. Review the vessel's current and planned route. Check the latest flag-State, coastal-State, company security and recognised industry advisories before departure and during the voyage. Reassess the plan when the threat picture changes.

2. Make sure the risk assessment is vessel-specific. Consider the ship's profile, cargo, freeboard and speed, crew composition, operating pattern, communications, available security measures and the time the vessel may spend in an exposed area. Record the rationale for decisions and who approved them.

3. Brief the crew before entering a higher-risk area. Explain the threat, reporting chain, communications procedures, muster arrangements and actions expected if an incident occurs. Brief in language the crew can understand and allow time for questions.

4. Check welfare and emergency readiness. Confirm that emergency contacts are current, communications equipment is tested, medical arrangements are understood and crew know how to report concerns. Families and next of kin should receive information through the company's agreed communication process, not through speculation or unverified social-media posts.

5. Keep crew and vessel information accurate. Ensure sign-on and sign-off records, emergency contacts and relevant voyage information are current in company systems and any applicable reporting platforms. Accurate information helps the company coordinate support when an incident occurs.

6. Plan for the aftermath, not just the incident. A crew member who has experienced an attack, detention, injury or prolonged uncertainty may need medical care, repatriation assistance and confidential psychological support. Follow-up should continue after the vessel reaches a safe port.

A practical pre-voyage checklist

Before a vessel enters a higher-risk area, the responsible team should be able to answer yes to these questions:

• Has the latest threat information been reviewed and the risk assessment updated?

• Have the Master, company security contact and relevant shore teams agreed on the reporting and escalation process?

• Have all crew received a clear briefing and understood their emergency roles?

• Are communications, emergency contacts, medical support and welfare arrangements ready?

• Is there a documented plan for monitoring changes and communicating decisions to the vessel?

What this means for maritime HR and crewing leaders

Security incidents are often discussed as operational or geopolitical issues, but their consequences reach directly into crewing. Manning teams may need to coordinate relief planning, medical and psychological support, repatriation, family communication, documentation and follow-up with shipowners, managers, flag States and authorities.

The human element must remain central. Seafarers should not be left to interpret conflicting information alone, and no one should be pressured to treat an unsafe situation as routine. Clear procedures, honest communication and visible management support are essential to trust.

Bottom line

The October IMO updates are a reminder that maritime security risk translates into real human consequences. Crewing teams should review current advisories, maintain accurate crew information, brief people properly and prepare for medical, welfare and repatriation needs. These steps cannot remove every threat, but they can reduce avoidable exposure and help companies respond more effectively when an incident occurs.

Sources and further reading

IMO — Middle East: Highlighted (Confirmed) incidents, figures as at 9 October 2026: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/pages/middle-east-highlighted-incidents.aspx

IMO — IMO Secretary-General mourns seafarers killed during rescue of hijacked ship, 2 October 2026: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/imo-secretary-general-mourns-seafarers-killed-during-rescue-of-hijacked-ship-.aspx

IMO — Stop attacking merchant ships and seafarers: IMO Secretary-General to Member States, 16 September 2026: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/stop-attacking-ships-and-seafarers-imo-secretary-general.aspx

IMO — Six months of uncertainty for seafarers in Strait of Hormuz, 28 August 2026: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/statement-on-the-ongoing-crisis-in-the-strait-of-hormuz.aspx