CHIRP in Yachting: How Confidential Reporting Prevents Accidents Onboard | Balls of Wisdom
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In this episode of Balls of Wisdom, host Cherise Reedman speaks with Paul Shepherd from CHIRP about how confidential safety reporting is quietly changing risk culture across the superyacht and wider yachting industry.
This is a practical, experience-led conversation about what actually prevents accidents onboard — not after an incident, but before one ever reaches a report, an investigation or the media.
Paul explains how CHIRP works, why near-miss reporting is one of the most powerful safety tools the industry has, and how real operational risk is often hidden behind minimum compliance standards.
The discussion also explores why some of the highest-risk areas onboard remain consistently under-reported, how fatigue and workload influence safety decisions, and why learning systems must reflect real yacht operations — not just regulatory minimums.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- How confidential reporting through CHIRP works in practice
- Why near-miss data is more valuable than accident statistics
- How safety intelligence is shared without blame or exposure
- Why “minimum safe manning” does not reflect real superyacht operations
- Where hidden operational and interior risks continue to go unnoticed
How a stronger reporting culture protects both crew and owners
This special Balls of Wisdom series features influential men using their experience and leadership to strengthen accountability, learning and safety standards across yachting.
Prefer to read? Head to Yachting News on the website.
https://www.yachtinginternationalradio.com/yachting-news
🎙️ Balls of Wisdom hosted by Cherise Reedman