EMSA replaces Maritime Accident Review publication
EMSA issued “Annual Overview of Marine Casualties and Incidents” which is intended to replaceMaritime Accident Review which was published in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 based on data extracted from commercial sources.
This publication presents casualty statistics on ships flying a flag of an EU MemberState, accidents in European territorial seas and internal waters or wherever thereare European interests involved, as reported by EU Member States in EMCIP.
Considering the date of the implementation of the Accident Investigation Directivein June 2011, the Agency decided to cover the 2011-2013 period of EU MemberStates reporting in one publication. It is intended in future publications to providemulti-annual data to enhance analysis and, for example, highlight trends in thearea of maritime accidents.
Despite using only EU Member States as information sources, the data can be
subject to small changes over time as more information is added or older cases areretroactively added to the EMCIP database. For this reason, the figures extractedfrom the database in April 2014 and presented in this publication are likely to beslightly different to those presented throughout the year in various fora or in thenext edition to be published in 2015.
The figures presented in this publication have the aim of providing a general
overview of the safety of maritime transport in the scope of European interests.
However, the picture is limited by the quantity and nature of information
presently contained in EMCIP and this publication is therefore not intended as a
comprehensive technical analysis.
Moreover, at the present moment, it cannot be used as an indication of trends. This is due to the fact that implementation of the accident investigation Directive has only been required since 17 June 2011 as well as due to progressive implementation by some Member States. Should further information about specific cases be required, readers are invited to contact the national competent Accident Investigation bodies (whose contact details can be found in Appendix 3 of the publication).
The evolution of the total number of occurrences reported clearly demonstrates an improvement in the reporting by the EU Member States. Under-reporting of occurrences exists, mainly due to the progressive take-up of reporting in EMCIP and the difficulties met by some EU Member States in the implementation of the Directive. Such under-reporting is estimated to be around 30% in 2013 but is inversely related to the severity classification: there is little under-reporting of Very Serious casualties but there seems to be a higher level of under-reporting for Marine Incidents. It should be noted that EU Member States continue to improve their reporting.
The number of occurrences per year is estimated to be around 3500.
Number of occurrences according to severity
VERY SERIOUS CASUALTIES are marine casualties involving the total loss of the ship or a death or severe damage to the environment.
SERIOUS CASUALTIES are marine casualties to ships which do not qualify as very serious casualties and which involve for example a fire, collision, grounding, heavy weather damage, suspected hull defect, etc., which result in the ship being unfit to proceed or pollution.
LESS SERIOUS CASUALTIES are marine casualties that dont qualify as very serious or serious casualties.
In the figure above, marine incidents have been combined with less serious casualties.
Accidents by ship category
Number of ships involved by main category
General Cargo ships were involved in 17% of the total number of occurrences, followed by passenger ships carrying only passengers (11%).Noting that the annual increase is in line with the improvement of reporting, cargo ships represent 50% of all ships involved in a casualty with a ship, followed by passenger ships, service ships and fishing vessels.
Cargo ships represent 35% of all ships involved in an occupational accident, followed by passenger ships, service ships and fishing vessels.
For more information you can read the report by clicking on the image below:
Source and Image Credit: EMSA