Concerning Rise in Enclosed Space Casualties Aboard Ships

Mike Schuler  July 16, 2024

InterManager has reported a troubling increase in the number of enclosed space casualties aboard ships.

The association’s latest statistics, which have now been submitted to the International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments, reveal that accidents onboard ships are not decreasing. The data covers enclosed space accidents, fall accidents, and accidents involving rescue and survival craft from the last several decades up to May 2024.

The data shows the number of seafarers injured in falls has remained fairly consistent year on year, as has the number of injuries from rescue and survival craft accidents. However, the casualty rate for enclosed space accidents has almost doubled, according to the association.

InterManager’s submission highlights a significant lag between accident occurrence, investigation, and reporting in the Marine Casualties and Incidents (MCI) module of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). The association notes that reducing this lag would be “markedly beneficial to all analyses.”

Lack of transparency and hesitation in sharing accidents are also undermining industry statistics, causing problems with accident reporting. InterManager notes that many fall accidents onboard ships are not being recorded within GISIS nor made available elsewhere, even though they are reported on ship type-specific websites and within regional media. Additionally, several enclosed space accidents in ship repair yards are not currently required to report to GISIS.

“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,” said Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General. “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.”

According to InterManager’s submission, the number of enclosed space incidents on ships remained constant at 14 for both 2022 and 2023. However, the number of casualties nearly doubled in 2023, rising from 18 to 34. Among these, 66% of casualties in enclosed space accident have involved the ship’s leadership, including the master, chief engineer, chief officer, and second engineer. Additionally, 6% of casualties were cadets or trainees.

InterManager submission reveals a consistent trend in fall accidents aboard ships over the past five years, with 44 to 52 accidents annually. From January 1 to May 1, 2024, 18 accidents were recorded. The percentage of fall accidents, when analyzed by ship type, remained broadly constant from 2012 to May 2024. Seafarers working from heights or over the ship’s side account for 55% of these accidents, while non-ship officers and ship officers account for 22% and 23%, respectively.

InterManager’s data on 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. The submission notes that serious accidents still have potential during the handling of lifeboats during drills and launching.

InterManager acknowledges the continued efforts of the IMO to prevent lifeboat accidents by reviewing and adopting amendments to the Revised Recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances. The association 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 help regulators review procedures, improve safety, and minimize accidents.

“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,” said Captain Kuba Szymanski, InterManager Secretary General. “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.”