Accidents onboard ships are not decreasing, according to the latest accident statistics submitted to the International Maritime Organization by InterManager.
InterManager’s submission to IMO reveals
Enclosed Space Accidents
• The trend for the number of enclosed accidents occurring annually appears to have stabilized over the past few years with a noticeable dip during the global pandemic 2021. However, when comparing 2022 and 2023, both of which saw 14 recorded enclosed space incidents, there was a marked increase in the number of actual casualties in 2023, compared to 2022, 34 as against 18. Thus, although the frequency of accidents remained fairly constant, the casualty rate almost doubled.
• Of those who have lost their lives in enclosed space accidents where the rank or role has been stated, 66% currently come from what is considered to be the ships’ leadership team. (For statistical purposes, the ships’ leadership team comprises the master, chief engineer, chief officer, and second engineer.) A further 6% of those who lost their lives were serving onboard the ship in a training role, which is defined in similar statistical terms as a cadet or a trainee.
Fall accidents
• The trend for fall accidents from, or onboard, ships for the past five-year period has remained consistent between 44 and 52 accidents per year, and the majority of casualties resulting from these accidents involved just a single person. Between 1 January and 1 May 2024 18 accidents were recorded within the GISIS.
• The percentage of fall accidents, when analyzed by ship type, remained broadly constant throughout the review period of 2012 to 1 May 2024, as compared to InterManager’s previous submission (document III 9/INF.12). Likewise, the location of the fall accidents reported remained consistent between the two review periods. It would appear, therefore, that the industry is experiencing a similar frequency of fall accidents in similar locations year after year.
• Where it is mentioned in the accident investigation report, seafarers directly involved in most activities that involve working aloft or working over the ship’s side experience the highest number of accidents at 55%. Those who are not ship officers or crew account for 22% of the fall accidents, with ship officers accounting for the balance of 23%.
Rescue and survival craft accidents
• InterManager’s data about accidents associated with rescue and survival craft onboard ships involves all kinds of merchant ships, cruise ships, naval vessels, oil rigs, tugs, and supply boats with IMO numbers. Out of 538 incidents (including 50 near misses) gathered since 1980, only 19% are available in GISIS.
• There is still a potential for serious accidents in the handling of lifeboats during drills and launching. InterManager gratefully acknowledges the continued efforts of the IMO to prevent lifeboat accidents by reviewing resolution MSC.81(70) on the Revised Recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances, and the adoption of resolution MSC.544(107) on 8 June 2023 on the amendments to the Revised Recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)) which includes all types of lifeboats on board ships.InterManager strongly recommends that categories of specific operations – such as enclosed space, fall, personal transfer, lifeboat, mooring, and others – be included in the data collection database of accidents by GISIS, Flag States, and other industry organizations, including shipping companies. This will assist regulators in reviewing procedures, improving safety, and minimizing accidents.
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Source: Inter Manager
