Tetra Tech provided independent safety audits and regulatory compliance monitoring for maritime combat systems and platforms under the UK MOD.
This included auditing key project documents and an audit of maritime project teams’ safety management systems. The range of equipment safety cases reviewed includes submarine equipment such as ship active decoys, remote operated vehicles, weapon control systems and whole platform management systems.
Challenge
This complex and demanding contract presented a variety of challenges, not least of which is understanding the context for each Safety Case and the appropriate legislation and standards.
We provide independent safety and environmental audit and advice to five programme areas, including: Underwater and Electronic Warfare (UEW); Communications and Situational Awareness (CSA); Maritime Training Acquisition Organisation (MTAO); Fleet Wide Combat Management Systems (FW CMS); Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP). Each area had different complications and many systems were significantly behind with their safety and environmental assurance process.
Solution
A dedicated team implemented Acquisition Safety and Environmental Management System (ASEM) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) polices, including production of an overarching safety and environmental audit programme to cover the whole remit of the Maritime Combat Systems (MCS) team, supporting the development of: SEM plans, hazard logs, legislation and standards registers, and; safety and environmental case reports to POSMS and POEMS. The project also included supporting safety and environmental working group and panel meetings, incorporating safety and environmental legislation and hazard identification, risk assessments, environmental screening and scoping and management reviews.
Our advice has helped to support the project team in reducing the project safety risks not just for individual equipment but throughout the structure of the organisation.
At a glance
Client
Ministry of Defence
Location
UK
Services
Independent safety audit, regulatory compliance monitoring, safety assessment, system hazard and risk review
The project featured in this article was undertaken by RPS, A Tetra Tech Company and originally published on RPSgroup.com. In March 2026 RPS rebranded to Tetra Tech.