Accidents onboard ships show no sign of decreasing, according to the latest statistics submitted to the IMO by InterManager. The number of seafarers injured in falls has remained fairly consistent year over year, as have injuries resulting from rescue and survival craft accidents. However, the Association warns that the casualty rate for enclosed space accidents has almost doubled.
InterManager has presented its data, spanning several decades, to the 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments, held from July 22 to 26 in London. Their submission includes information and analysis on enclosed space accidents (from 1996 to May 1, 2024), fall accidents (from 2012 to May 1, 2024), and rescue and survival craft accidents (from 1980 to May 1, 2024). The data was obtained from a variety of verified sources.
The Association points out a significant lag between when an accident occurs, its investigation, and the report being uploaded to the Marine Casualties and Incidents (MCI) module of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). InterManager calls for this lag to be reduced or eliminated, stating that lack of transparency and hesitation in sharing accident data are causing problems with accurate reporting.
Notably, many accidents involving falls onboard ships are not being recorded within GISIS despite being reported on ship type-specific websites and regional media. Additionally, there have been several enclosed space accidents in ship repair yards which, under current regulations, are not required to report to GISIS.
Enclosed Space Accidents:
- The annual number of enclosed space accidents has stabilized over recent years, with a noticeable dip during the global pandemic in 2021. However, comparing 2022 and 2023, both saw 14 recorded incidents, but the number of casualties almost doubled from 18 to 34 in 2023.
- Of the lives lost in enclosed space accidents, 66% were from the ship’s leadership team (master, chief engineer, chief officer, and second engineer), and 6% were onboard in a training role (cadets or trainees).
Fall Accidents:
- Over the past five years, fall accidents have remained consistent, ranging from 44 to 52 incidents per year. As of May 1, 2024, 18 accidents have been recorded in GISIS.
- The percentage of fall accidents by ship type has remained constant over the review period (2012 to May 1, 2024). The majority of these accidents involve activities like working aloft or over the ship’s side, affecting seafarers directly involved in these tasks.
Rescue and Survival Craft Accidents:
- InterManager’s data on rescue and survival craft accidents involves all types of merchant ships, cruise ships, naval vessels, oil rigs, tugs, and supply boats with IMO numbers. Out of 538 incidents (including 50 near misses) since 1980, only 19% are available in GISIS.
- There is still a significant potential for serious accidents during lifeboat drills and launching. InterManager appreciates the IMO’s ongoing efforts to prevent lifeboat accidents, including the adoption of resolution MSC.544(107) on June 8, 2023, which amends the Revised Recommendation on testing life-saving appliances.
InterManager strongly recommends that specific categories of operations, such as enclosed space, fall, personal transfer, lifeboat, mooring, and others, be included in the accident data collection databases maintained by GISIS, Flag States, and other industry organizations. This will help regulators review procedures, improve safety, and minimize accidents.
Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General, stated: “Safety is very important to InterManager members, and developing an effective safety culture is one of the central pillars of our General Principles of Conduct and Action. Collating these statistics on behalf of the industry enables us to proactively assist on a number of core safety issues, and we are pleased that the IMO and other industry stakeholders are making use of them to protect the lives of seafarers.”
