Insufficient understanding and awareness of safety in the operation of traditional ships have prompted a safety study on traditional ship navigation in Lake Towuti. The design research utilizes a qualitative approach to analyze the safety conditions faced in the operation of traditional ships to optimize the potential and services provided to the community around Lake Towuti. Several issues affecting maritime safety were identified, including uncertified ships, inadequate safety equipment on board, unsafe ship operations, and inadequately skilled boat crew. The urgent matter that takes top priority is the availability and use of life jackets to prevent fatalities in accidents. The research findings recommend a holistic and adaptive approach to enhance the safety performance of traditional ship navigation. This study provides in-depth insights into the maritime safety situation on traditional ships and contributes to shaping concepts that have the potential to improve maritime safety performance through the use of safety equipment on traditional ships across the region.