CREW FACTOR IN MARITIME CASUALTIES
“80% of accidents are caused by human error”.
Admiral Sir N. Hunt.
Since the 1970s, maritime casualties have occurred to oil tankers, bulk carriers, general cargo vessels and passenger ships. These casualties have been met by the International shipping community with great astonishment and they have shown solitude for the establishment and implementation of the International Conventions and regulations.
After the tragic loss of the Ro-Ro ferry Herald of Free Enterprise, the I.M.O. adopted Resolution A.596(15) and started dealing with the role of the human element in maritime casualties and accidents. Since then the International community and the maritime industry have studied the issue and recognised that the great majority of maritime casualties and accidents were due to human error.
However casualties continue to happen very often and raise great concern and doubts in public opinion.
There is a growing realization in the world shipping community that the qualifications of the seafarers
manning the world fleet is the single most important issue in achieving higher safety standards on board
ships.
Considering a significant number of casualties at sea occurred lately and researches by P & I Clubs,
Classification Societies and Hull Underwriters, into the causes of accidents have established that
approximately as much as 80 per cent of all accidents are the result of human error.
Statistics reports from 1997-2007 show that human error was responsible for 50% of pollution, 65% of personal injuries, 80% of property damages, 90% of collisions and 50% of cargo claims. The causes found were: lack of knowledge and experience, overconfidence, recklessness in responding to commercial pressures, fatigue (related mainly to collisions), discomfort, boredom, anger, unhappiness, illness, confusion and lack of adequate communication.
Therefore a reduction in the human error ratio would result in considerable improvement in the safety of ships, lives at sea and to the economy of the Shipping Industry and specifically to the ship operator. The need and the importance of loss prevention is undisputed and can be achieved through crew training and careful selection of seamen. The qualifications of seafarers will therefore remain a key issue in shipping for years to come BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT their ability to communicate adequately-something which can be taught, learnt and practiced-
Marasco Marine Ltd, and the undersigned, fully aware of the major importance of crew factor in Ships Economies and Safety co operates closely with a global network of Manning agents in training the crew members in the 'Art of effective Communication' which is the key element in accidents prevention.
Moreover Marasco-Marine team of experts step by step compliment Insurance Underwriters requirements for qualitative risk assessment, before issuing a policy, in a detailed and transparent way, that Underwriters remunerate such an effort in more favourable premiums for our shipping client companies and vessels.
Marasco Marine Ltd.
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