Why observe and document near-misses in EOCA operations?

• A. To assign blame
• B. To increase paperwork
• C. To identify underlying causes and prevent recurrence
• D. To lengthen training sessions

Answer: (C)

Observing and documenting near-misses in EOCA operations is about turning close calls into actionable safety improvements. By capturing what happened, where, when, and why, teams can perform root-cause analysis to uncover underlying issues in procedures, equipment, training, or human performance. This information feeds corrective actions and updates to standards, helping prevent recurrence and reducing the likelihood of a real incident. It also promotes a just culture where reporting near-misses is valued and used to improve safety rather than assign blame to individuals. The goal isn’t to create more paperwork or to lengthen training for its own sake, but to identify vulnerabilities and implement effective controls so future operations are safer.