The RMI Annual Report on marine safety investigations for 2020 records a total of 726 very serious marine casualties, marine casualties, marine incidents, and occurrences, 80 less than reported during 2019, reads a Safety4sea article.
Key findings
Very Serious Marine Casualties (involving loss of life, total loss of the vessel, or significant environmental damage)
During 2020, 16 very serious marine casualties were reported to the Administrator.
- They involved 14 merchant vessels and two yachts, with 13 of the very serious marine casualties resulting in loss of life.
- Falls (including from height, on stairs, and overboard) continue to be the leading causes of occupational fatalities.
- Three of the very serious marine casualties resulted in the total loss or constructive total loss of the vessel.
- One bulk carrier was declared a constructive total loss after grounding, one yacht was declared a constructive total loss following a fire, and the other yacht sank.
Marine Casualties, Marine Incidents, and Occurrences
- There were 266 marine casualties (including serious injury, loss or material damage to the vessel, grounding or disabling of the vessel, collision or allision, and severe damage to marine infrastructure or to the environment) reported to the Administrator during 2020.
- There were a total of 309 marine incidents (including events that endangered, or if not corrected, would endanger the safety of the vessel, its occupants, or the environment) reported to the Administrator during 2020.
- There were 135 occurrences (other conditions and events which are not marine casualties or marine incidents but require investigation) reported to the Administrator during 2020.
- Serious Injuries: As in previous years, serious injuries (resulting in incapacitation for 72 hours or more) were again the most frequently reported incident type, accounting for 124 of the reports received by the Administrator during 2020.
- Collisions and allisions: 61 collisions and allisions were reported. 32 of these incidents occurred with a pilot on board.
- Groundings: A total of 32 groundings were reported to the Administrator during 2020, with 18 of these occurring with a pilot on board. One grounding resulted in the constructive total loss of the vessel. Groundings were most frequently reported while transiting the rivers of the east coast of South America, where constantly shifting shoals and fluctuating water levels are common.
- Loss of propulsion: Of the 103 loss of propulsion incidents reported to the Administrator during 2020, 33 occurred while a pilot was on board. Three of the 33 incidents which occurred with a pilot on board subsequently resulted in the grounding of the vessel while one resulted in a collision with another vessel.
Read the full report here.
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Source: Safety4sea
