Captain Barry Sadler Maritime Education Podcast

Discovering a stowaway onboard a vessel can create significant legal, operational and humanitarian challenges. In this episode, Barry shares real-life experiences and explains the reporting, repatriation and welfare requirements involved in managing stowaway incidents at sea.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations agency responsible for developing and maintaining the regulatory framework that governs international shipping. Headquartered in London, the IMO plays a critical role in...

  The global maritime industry is currently plaqued by a compounding recruitment and retention crisis, underscored by a massive shortfall of nearly 90,000 certified seafarers, driven by a perfect storm of an aging workforce and a...

Pilot ladder compliance is critical. This episode explains SOLAS V/23 requirements, IMO 2025 updates, and why pilots refuse unsafe ladders—based on 4,000+ real transfers.

The 2026 Iran conflict has triggered a major shock to global shipping — but the real pressure lies in marine insurance. This episode explains War Risk cover, H&M, P&I, and what ships must legally carry to trade.

In this episode of The Maritime Education Podcast, Captain Barry Sadler explores the fascinating history of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). From early maritime customs used by sailors in the 16th century to the modern 1972 COLREG Convention, this episode explains how collision regulations evolved into the global legal framework used to keep ships safe at sea.

In this episode of the Maritime Education Podcast, Captain Barry Sadler examines the developing Strait of Hormuz crisis and the operational decisions facing Masters navigating high-risk waters. With war-risk insurance withdrawn, naval escorts proposed, and widespread GPS interference reported, the episode explores how safety, professional judgement, and maritime law influence the decisions made on the bridge.

Parametric rolling is often associated with deep water, but in shallow areas the effects can escalate rapidly. Barry explains how squat, restricted water flow and wave interaction can turn moderate rolling into a serious stability threat, drawing on real-world experience and the MSC Zoe case.

A detailed analysis of the 2023 Polesie–Verity collision, exploring COLREGs failures, bridge team actions, VTS communication breakdowns, and the dangers of hindsight and case law in maritime investigations.