What are the primary components of a ship's safety program?

The primary components of a ship's safety program are focused on creating a proactive environment to minimize risks and enhance the safety of all personnel on board. Risk management involves identifying, analyzing, and addressing potential hazards that could negatively impact crew safety and operational integrity. Safety awareness ensures that all crew members are conscious of these hazards and trained to recognize and respond appropriately, fostering a culture where safety is a collective responsibility.

Training is a critical element as it equips crew members with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate safely in various scenarios, reinforcing safety protocols and practices. Proper equipment use ties together the other components by ensuring that all safety measures and equipment are utilized correctly, which is essential for preventing accidents and injuries.

In contrast, the other choices contain elements that are important but do not encompass the comprehensive aspects of a safety program. Communication and leadership are vital for a successful operation, but they don't specifically address safety protocols. Maintenance is crucial for keeping equipment in working order but falls under the umbrella of ensuring safety when discussed within a broader safety program context. Lastly, while compliance, inspections, drills, and evaluations are important for maintaining safety standards, they are not as foundational to the education and awareness aspects of a safety program as outlined in the correct answer.