Posted by Nicky Smol on August 4, 2025 in Other news
Safety signs in maritime environments are crucial for maintaining a safe and efficient working atmosphere at sea. Whether onboard a vessel, in port facilities, or at offshore installations, Safety signs communicate hazards, instructions, and emergency procedures quickly and clearly.
In the maritime industry, where conditions can be unpredictable and sometimes even dangerous, safety signs are more than just visual aids—they are essential life-saving tools. Safety signs serve to:
Whether you are an employee, a visitor, or an emergency responder onboard, maritime safety signs help create a safer and more structured environment.
There are six primary categories of safety signs used in maritime environments. Each type uses standardized symbols, shapes, and colors for quick recognition.
1. Prohibition Signs
These signs indicate actions or behaviors that are not allowed. They feature a red circular border with a diagonal line across a black pictogram.
Example: No smoking, No open flames.
2. Mandatory Signs
Mandatory signs instruct individuals to follow specific actions for safety. They use white pictograms on a blue circular background.
Example: Wear safety helmet, Use protective gloves.
3. Escape Route Signs
These signs help crew and passengers find the nearest emergency exit during an evacuation. They typically show a running figure or arrow on a green background.
Example: Exit, Assembly point, Evacuation route.
4. Warning Signs
Warning signs alert individuals to potential hazards. They use black symbols on a yellow background.
Example: Flammable materials, Electrical hazard, Slippery surface.
5. Fire Safety Signs
These signs point to fire-fighting equipment or alarms and use red backgrounds with white pictograms.
Example: Fire extinguisher, Fire hose reel, Fire alarm call point.
6. Information Signs
Used to convey non-urgent information such as the location of toilets or general instructions. These signs help maintain order and provide useful guidance.
In line with ISO standards and IMO regulations, maritime safety signs use specific colors to quickly communicate different types of information:
These colors ensure a universal understanding of the sign’s message, regardless of language or literacy levels.
A safety poster in a maritime setting should include both visual and textual information that promotes safety awareness and behavior. Key elements include:
At T-ISS, we offer standard IMO-compliant safety posters and also provide custom-made maritime safety posters tailored to your vessel or facility.
Photoluminescent, or glow-in-the-dark, safety signs are an essential part of maritime safety systems. These signs absorb ambient light and emit a visible glow in darkness, making them ideal during power outages or low-visibility situations.
Key benefits include:
T-ISS offers a wide range of photoluminescent safety signs that meet ISO and IMO standards, including signs for escape routes, fire equipment, and general safety instructions.
Traditionally, Safety Signs were made from PVC—a cheap and versatile plastic. However, PVC releases toxic and corrosive gases like hydrogen chloride when exposed to fire, posing serious health and environmental risks. These gases can spread faster than flames, putting both crew and passengers in danger during onboard emergencies. Although flame-resistant, PVC signs contribute to dangerous smoke development and are discouraged under SOLAS Chapter II-2, which promotes the use of low-smoke, non-toxic materials.
That’s why the maritime industry is increasingly adopting halogen-free PET-X signage. Unlike PVC, PET-X signs—like those from SafeSign—are safer, UV-resistant, fully recyclable, and emit minimal smoke or toxic gases in a fire. They are also photoluminescent and meet DNV certification standards for glow performance. This shift reflects the industry’s growing commitment to safety, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets the global standards for safety signage in marine environments. At T-ISS, all our signs adhere to ISO and IMO requirements, ensuring consistent safety communication across vessels and facilities worldwide.
Our signs are used in:
We ensure every sign we supply is durable, weather-resistant, and easy to install, even in harsh marine conditions.
At T-ISS, we proudly offer SafeSign Safety Signs, a trusted brand in the maritime industry. SafeSign produces state-of-the-art, photoluminescent safety signage and Low Location Lighting systems used worldwide.
SafeSign is:
Interested in distributing maritime safety signs? Join our global dealer network today.
