Citation

Roberts SE, Carter T. Int. Marit. Health 2018; 69(2): 99-109.

Affiliation

Swansea University, Swansea, UK. Stephen.E.Roberts@swansea.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, International Maritime Health Association, Publisher Via Medica)

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2018.0015

PMID

29939386

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To determine the causes and circumstances of vessel accidents that led to fatalities in British merchant shipping since 1925, and among British seafarers who were employed in non-United Kingdom shipping since 1985. Secondly, to establish trends in vessel accidents and crew fatalities, and associations with type of casualty and location, type of ship, cargo carried and season.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reviews of annual mortality returns, marine accident investigation reports, death inquiry files, Lloyd's casualty returns, online newspapers, shipwreck websites and other searches over the period from 1925 to 2017 but excluding 1939 to 1946.

RESULTS: The study identified 362 ship accidents in British shipping that led to 2760 crew and 605 passenger fatalities. There have been large reductions in both ship casualty and crew fatality rates, which have been greatest for vessels that were stranded, wrecked or foundered, particularly small coastal trading cargo ships. Reductions since the 1980s have coincided with proportionate increases in ship accidents and consequential crew fatalities among British seafarers employed in 'open register' shipping. Strong seasonal and geographical patterns show that most fatalities through foundering or wrecking occurred during winter months around Europe.

CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in ship accidents and crew fatalities reflect major developments and improvements in ship navigational aids, improvements in rescue services and ship designs, and reductions in the volume of small coastal trading ships. Some disasters in 'open registry' shipping occurred in controversial circumstances, suggesting that substandard shipping has been flagged out or that lower cost but less competent crews have been employed.

Language: en

Keywords

British shipping; fatalities; maritime casualties; seafarers