InterManager calls for industry-wide accident reporting

AAs InterManager explained, the number of seafarers injured by falls has remained relatively constant compared to last year, as has the number of injuries from accidents involving lifeboats and survival craft. However, the number of casualties in accidents in enclosed spaces has almost doubled, the association warns. InterManager has presented its figures, which span several decades, to the 10th session of the IMO Subcommittee on the Implementation of IMO Instruments, which is being held in London from 22 to 26 July.

The Association’s contribution provides information and analysis to support InterManager’s information documents on accidents in enclosed spaces (from 1996 to 1 May 2024), falls from heights (from 2012 to 1 May 2024) and accidents involving rescue and survival vehicles (from 1980 to 1 May 2024).

InterManager points out that there is still a significant delay between the occurrence of the accident, its investigation and the uploading of the report into the Marine Casualties and Incidents (MCI) module of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

It would be of great benefit to all analyses if this unwelcome delay could be reduced or even eliminated.

… said InterManager

Industry statistics are affected by a lack of transparency and reluctance to report accidents, leading to problems in accident reporting.

InterManager’s statement points out that a number of accidents involving falls on board ships are not recorded by GISIS or otherwise made available, although these accidents are openly reported and recorded on ship type specific websites and in regional media. It also points out that there have been a number of accidents in enclosed spaces in ship repair yards that are not currently required to be reported to GISIS.

InterManager’s statement to the IMO states:

Accidents in enclosed spaces

The trend in the number of annual accidents in enclosed spaces has stabilized in recent years, with a significant decrease during the global pandemic in 2021. However, comparing 2022 and 2023, in which 14 incidents in enclosed spaces were recorded each year, the number of actual victims in 2023 has increased significantly compared to 2022, namely 34 versus 18. So, although the frequency of accidents has remained fairly constant, the number of victims has almost doubled.

Of those who have lost their lives in enclosed space accidents where rank or function was specified, 66% are currently from what is known as the ship’s commanding crew. (Statistically, the ship’s commanding crew consists of the captain, chief engineer, chief officer and second engineer.) Another 6% of those who lost their lives served on board the ship in a training capacity, which is statistically similarly defined as a cadet or trainee.

In early June, InterManager submitted a document to the IMO entitled “Lessons Learned and Safety Issues Identified from the Analysis of Marine Safety Investigation Reports” addressing the alarming trend of deaths in enclosed spaces on board ships. The document provided detailed information on accidents in enclosed spaces between 1996 and 1 May 2024, focusing in particular on suffocation cases.

Falling accidents

The trend in falls from or on board ships has remained constant over the last five years, ranging between 44 and 52 accidents per year. The majority of casualties resulting from these accidents involved only one person. Between 1 January and 1 May 2024, 18 accidents were recorded in GISIS.

The percentage of fall accidents, when analysed by vessel type, remained broadly constant throughout the review period from 2012 to 1 May 2024 compared to InterManager’s previous submission (Document III 9/INF.12). The location of reported fall accidents also remained the same between the two review periods. It therefore appears that the industry experiences a similar frequency of fall accidents in similar locations year after year.

Where mentioned in the accident investigation report, seafarers who are directly involved in carrying out the majority of activities involving work at height or over the ship’s side suffer the most accidents, at 55%. Those who are not ship’s officers or crew members account for 22% of fall accidents, while ship’s officers account for the remaining 23%.

Accidents involving rescue and survival vehicles

InterManager’s data on accidents involving rescue and survival craft on board ships cover all types of merchant ships, cruise ships, warships, oil rigs, tugs and supply boats with IMO numbers. Of the 538 incidents (including 50 near misses) recorded since 1980, only 19% are available in GISIS.

There is still a risk of serious accidents when handling lifeboats during drills and launching. InterManager thanks the IMO for its continued efforts to prevent accidents involving lifeboats by reviewing resolution MSC.81(70) on the revised Recommendation on the testing of life-saving appliances and adopting resolution MSC.544(107) on the amendments to the revised Recommendation on the testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)) on 8 June 2023, which covers all types of lifeboats on board ships.

InterManager strongly recommends that categories of specific operations – such as enclosed spaces, falls, personnel transport, lifeboats, moorings and others – be included in the accident data collection database of GISIS, flag states and other industry organizations, including shipping companies. This will help regulators review procedures, improve safety and minimize accidents.

As InterManager explained in May 2024, the Flag State of Panama has contributed significantly to accident reporting, submitting a total of 59 notifications and investigation reports to GISIS. This influx of reports is very welcome as it greatly facilitates statistical analysis and the formulation of corrective measures to improve safety at sea.

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. By compiling these statistics on behalf of the industry, we can proactively help with a number of fundamental safety issues and we are pleased that IMO and other industry stakeholders are using them to protect the lives of seafarers.

… said Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager. A few months ago, in an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Captain Szymanski stressed that seafarers must be recognised as key stakeholders in the shipping industry and consulted on changes, not only at vessel level but also by industry stakeholders who bring about new regulations and innovations.