<![CDATA[Purpose: This community engagement program was designed to enhance local knowledge and awareness regarding the proper use and maintenance of maritime safety equipment, including life jackets, lifebuoys, portable fire extinguishers (APAR), and other emergency apparatus. Method: The implementation strategy employed a direct practical approach, incorporating structured educational sessions, practical equipment demonstrations, and participatory discussions with community members. Practical Applications: The results indicate a significant improvement in participants’ knowledge, with the average score increasing from 48.25% in the pre-test (moderate category) to 82.75% in the post-test (good–excellent category), reflecting a learning gain of 34.50 percentage points. These findings based experience-based practices toward a more structured and preventive approach aligned with risk management principles. The training also enhanced participants’ understanding of the importance of safety equipment, particularly life jackets, as well as compliance with national regulations, including the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number PM 25 of 2015. The study concludes that structured and context-specific training interventions are effective in addressing knowledge gaps and reducing the risk of water transportation accidents, particularly among amateur fishermen. It is recommended that such programs be institutionalized and supported by continuous monitoring, regulatory enforcement, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to promote a sustainable culture of maritime safety in inland waterway communities. Conclusion: The structured educational interventions can serve as an effective mechanism for fostering maritime safety awareness at the community level. It is anticipated that such initiatives will contribute to the establishment of a sustainable maritime safety culture within coastal and riverine communities.]]>
