MARINE STATISTICS - 1999

Foreword

This document provides users of Canadian maritime safety data with an annual summary of selected statistics on marine occurrences.

Users of these statistics are advised that, in a live database, the occurrence data are constantly being updated. Consequently, the statistics can change slightly over time. Further, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified. Therefore, caution should be used when utilizing these statistics. The 1999 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 11 April 2000.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the TSB Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 1999, readers are encouraged to copy or reprint in whole, or in part, for further distribution of the data presented (with acknowledgement of the source).

The TSB is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety.

Comments on this document can be forwarded to the following address:

Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Information Strategies and Analysis Directorate
Place du Centre
200 Promenade du Portage
4th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 1K8

Telephone (819) 994-3741
Facsimile (819) 997-2239
E-mail: communications@bst-tsb.gc.ca

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2001
Cat. No. TU1-1/2001 ISBN 0-662-65670-9

Overview

Accidents

General Statistics (Table 1)

• In 1999, 600 marine accidents involving 645 vessels were reported to the TSB. Of these, 532 (89%) were shipping accidents; the remainder were accidents aboard ship.
• The 1999 total of 532 reported shipping accidents represents an increase of 9% compared to 1998. However, in general, the number of shipping accidents has been declining since 1990, in which there were 1056 accidents (Figure 1).

• In 1999, 85% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents were Canadian-flag vessels. Over 55% of these were fishing vessels, which continue to represent the largest share of Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents during the last 10 years (Figure 2). The number of Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents has generally decreased over the 1990-1999 period, with an average annual decline of 7% from 994 ships in 1990 to 492 in 1999.

< in 85 to 1990 vessels 178 from year per 7% almost of decline average an equivalent is 1999 accidents shipping involved foreign-flag number the tendency The 1998. comparable total vessels. commercial were 85% accidents,>

• As in most years since 1990, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 1999 were groundings, strikings, fires and/or explosions, and floodings (Figure 3). The number of accidents declined from 1990 until 1994 when they increased by 12% compared to 1993. After 1994, the number of shipping accidents resumed decreasing until 1999, which breaks a five-year average decline of 7% per year. Of these accidents, there has been a notable increase (50-60%) in the number of propeller/rudder/structural damage and collision accidents in 1999 compared to 1998, but these remain lower than the 1990-1998 averages.[1]

• Since 1990, about 50% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents have been fishing vessels. The next largest categories have been bulk carriers/OBO vessels (14%) and tugs/barges (13%). Vessels that pose a greater risk to persons and the environment, such as ferry/passenger vessels and tankers, were involved in about 6% and 3% of the accidents, respectively. The proportion of bulk carriers involved in accidents is equivalent to last year's and to the 1990-1998 annual average. In 1999, the number of fishing vessels involved in accidents increased by 11% compared to 1998, which saw the largest decrease over the past decade; the 1999 figure is still almost half that of the 1990 total of 586.
• In 1999, 44 vessels were reported lost; 10% fewer than in 1998. There has been an average annual decline of about 13% since 1990, when 159 were reported lost. About two-thirds of the vessels lost in 1999 were less than 15 gross tons(grt)[2].
• In addition to shipping accidents, 45 to 69 accidents aboard ship were reported to the TSB annually during the last decade. The 1999 total of 68 is 14% higher than the previous five-year annual average of 60.
• There were 29 marine-related fatalities in 1999, 40% fewer than in 1998, which had the second highest number recorded in the last 10 years. The decrease is attributable to fewer shipping accidents in which multiple deaths occurred (Figure 4)

Marine Accidents (Tables 2 to 9)

• Geographical Region (See Appendix 2): In 1999, almost three quarters of shipping accidents occurred in three regions: the Western Region (31%), the Maritimes Region (22%) and the Newfoundland Region (18%) (Figure 5). The number of vessels lost is also highest in these regions. Fishing vessel accidents dominate the accident record in these coastal waters. In the Western Region, tug and barge-related accidents are also common.
  The Central and Laurentian regions each account for 10% and 13%, respectively; within narrower waterways, the accidents often involve larger commercial vessels such as cargo/OBO vessels and tankers. Fishing vessels involved in accidents in the Newfoundland Region increased to 75 in 1999 compared to 49 in 1998, which represented a decrease of 71% from 84 in 1997. Fishing vessels involved in accidents in the Maritimes Region increased to 95 in 1999 compared to 60 in 1998, which represented a decrease of 28% from 77 in 1997. The remaining 6% of shipping accidents took place in Foreign Waters (3%) and in the Arctic Region (3%).

• Vessel Types: Of the 492 Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents in 1999, 273 were fishing vessels. From 1990 to 1999, nearly 27% of fishing vessel shipping accidents were groundings. In 1999, 156 commercial vessels were involved in shipping accidents. Between 1990 and 1999, about 30% of these commercial vessel accidents were striking accidents. The remaining 63 Canadian vessels involved in accidents in 1999 were non-commercial/pleasure craft and service vessels. More than half of the accidents reported from 1990 to 1999 involving these types of vessels were strikings, groundings and fires/explosions. In addition, 85 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters in 1999; over 80% of these were commercial vessels. Between 1990 and 1999, more than 45% of the foreign-flag commercial vessel accidents were strikings and groundings.
• Factors: Over the past decade, in shipping accidents investigated where factors were assigned, over 80% of factors assigned to Canadian and/or foreign-flag vessels involved unsafe acts. In addition, unsafe conditions were identified for about 69% of the vessels involved in accidents; the most common included atmospheric conditions (33%), followed by mechanical conditions (13%), and general vessel conditions (11%) (see Table 5). For definitions, please see Appendix 1. More human and organizational factors will be discernible as unsafe conditions in the future with the implementation of the new TSB integrated safety investigation methodology.
• Operating Certificates:Master/skipper and operator marine certificate statistics for Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents show the following: commercial vessels are usually under the command of persons with bona fide certificates; skippers and operators of fishing vessels often do not have marine certificates; and masters and operators of other vessels usually hold certificates as required. When foreign-flag vessels are involved, they are usually under the command of persons with master foreign-going certificates.
• Vessels Lost: In 1999, 44 vessels were reported lost, 10% fewer than in 1998 (Figure 6). Over 30% of the vessels lost in 1999 were more than 30 years old. Of that 1999 total, 4 were commercial vessels (mainly tugs and barges, see Table 1a), 39 were fishing vessels and the last was of another category. During the past 10 years, small fishing vessels (under 15 grt) have accounted for the largest proportion of vessels lost in Canada, and their ages are usually distributed unevenly. Year after year, a large part of the fishing vessels lost whose age can be identified fall within the older age group (30 years old and over).

Table 1a - Commercial Vessels Reported Lost in 1999

Incidents (Tables 1, 2 and 10)

• Pursuant to TSB mandatory reporting requirements, 178 marine incidents were reported in 1999; 11 more than in 1998, but still 9 fewer than the 1990-1997 average.
• The percentage, by region, of marine incidents reported in 1999 was as follows: Western 31%, the Maritimes 20%, Newfoundland 18%, Laurentian 16%, and Central 10%. The remaining 5% of incidents reported took place in Foreign Waters and in the Arctic Region.
• Between 1989 and 1993, the most common type of incident reported was close-quarters situations. Since 1994, engine/rudder/propeller incidents have accounted for the largest proportion of incidents. These represented 36% of the total number of incidents in 1994, and they have represented around 40% since 1997 (Figure 7).

• Most of the 212 close-quarters situations reported over the last five years involved non-commercial/pleasure craft with cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels. Many also involved tugs and barges; others involved fishing vessels with tugs/barges, with other fishing vessels, and with passenger and ferry vessels. In comparison, when collisions actually took place, most (94) were between two or more fishing vessels, followed by cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels with other cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels or tug/barge vessels with other tug/barge vessels.

Appendix 1 - Definitions

The following definitions apply to marine occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated Regulations.

Marine Occurrence

1. any accident or incident associated with the operation of a ship[3], and
2. any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described in paragraph (a).

The Act applies:

1. in Canada; and
2. in any other place, including waters described in (c), if
   1. Canada is requested to investigate the marine occurrence by an appropriate authority,
   2. the marine occurrence involves a ship registered or licensed in Canada, or
   3. a competent witness to, or person having information concerning a matter that may have contributed to, the marine occurrence arrives or is found at any place in Canada.
3. This Act also applies in respect of marine occurrences related to an activity concerning the exploration or exploitation of the continental shelf.

Reportable Marine Accident

An accident resulting directly from the operation of a ship other than a pleasure craft[4], where:

1. a person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of:
   1. being on board the ship or falling overboard from the ship, or
   2. coming into contact with any part of the ship or its contents, or
2. the ship:
   1. sinks, founders or capsizes,
   2. is involved in a collision (which includes collisions, strikings and contacts),
   3. sustains a fire or an explosion,
   4. goes aground,
   5. sustains damage that affects its seaworthiness or renders it unfit for its purpose, or
   6. is missing or abandoned.

For statistical purposes, accidents defined in paragraph (a) are classified as "Accidents Aboard Ship" and accidents defined in paragraph (b) are classified as "Shipping Accidents".

Reportable Marine Incident

An incident resulting directly from the operation of a ship, other than a pleasure craft, where:

1. a person falls overboard from the ship;
2. the ship, of one hundred gross tons or more, unintentionally makes contact with the bottom without going aground;
3. the ship fouls a utility cable or pipe, or underwater pipeline;
4. the ship is involved in a risk of collision;
5. the ship sustains a total failure of any machinery;
6. the ship sustains a shifting of cargo or a loss of cargo overboard;
7. the ship is intentionally grounded or beached to avoid an accident;
8. any crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the ship is unable to perform the crew member's duties as a result of a physical incapacitation that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment; or
9. any dangerous goods are released on board or from the ship.

Vessels Covered

This report covers commercial vessels which include all vessels either registered or licensed to operate commercially. Pleasure craft occurrences are not normally included unless they also involved a commercial vessel.

Vessel Categories

• Commercial vessels: include cargo vessels, ferries, tankers, passenger vessels, tugs and barges.
• Fishing vessels: include vessels involved in commercial fishing.
• Others: include research vessels, oil exploration, exploitation and support vessels, government vessels and pleasure craft.

Vessel Type

• Cargo: Ship designed for the carriage of various types and forms of cargo and the combined carriage of general cargo and passengers with 12 or less fare-paying passengers.
• Bulk Carrier: Ships specifically designed for bulk carriage of ore or other dry cargo.
• OBO (Oil/Bulk/Ore Carrier): Ships specifically designed for bulk carriage of ore with additional facilities for alternative, but not simultaneous, carriage of oil or loose dry cargo.
• Tanker: Propelled ships designed and constructed for the bulk carriage of liquids.
• Tug: Vessels designed for the towing and pushing of ships or other floating structures. Additional activity may include salvage, fire-fighting and work duties of a general nature.
• Barge: Vessels designed as non-propelled units for the carriage of cargo in holds or in tanks or weather deck cargo space only for the carriage of non-perishable cargo, or specially outfitted for specific operations.
• Ferry: Ships which follow a regular scheduled service of relatively short duration, designed for the carriage of passengers and vehicles. There is usually no cabin accommodation for passengers or not all passengers are accommodated in cabins where cabins are provided.
• Passenger: Vessels designed for the carriage of passengers.
• Fishing: Vessels designed for fishing operations and support.
• Service: Vessels designed for supporting marine transportation such as icebreakers, buoy tenders, SAR vessels, pilot boats and fireboats.
• Non-Commercial: Vessels designed to conduct non-commercial activities such as pleasure craft, seaplanes and naval vessels.
• Other: Vessels designed for other functions such as laying and repair of sea-bed cables, dredging, training, patrolling as well as ships and platforms designed for the extraction, processing, and storage of oil/gas from offshore wells; ships designed for the carriage of stores and cargo to offshore installations; ships outfitted for support activities related to offshore oil and gas exploration; and vessels designed for research work such as seismic research, oceanic and hydrographic survey.

Type of Accident

• Collision: An impact between two or more vessels under way.
• Capsizing: To turn over.
• Foundering: To fill from above the waterline and sink.
• Sinking: To become submerged from water intake below the waterline and settle to the bottom.
• Fire: Where a fire is the first event reported.
• Explosion: Where an explosion is the first event reported.
• Grounding: To touch bottom and remain stranded.
• Striking: A hard impact with a stationary object or a vessel not under way.
• Ice damage: Damage sustained as a consequence of contact with ice.
• Propeller damage: Damage to a vessel propeller, propeller portion or propeller adjoining parts affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.
• Rudder damage: Damage to a vessel rudder or rudder adjoining parts affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.
• Structural damage: hull damage, such as cracks and fractures, sustained by a vessel affecting its seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.
• Flooding: To fill a compartment below the waterline with water admitted from the sea.
• Other: Vessels lost or damaged for other reasons, including contact defined as a lateral/light impact with another vessel or an object (ie. bottom contact affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose).

Factors Contributing to Accidents

• Unsafe Acts: These encompass human performance factors including operational error on the part of any crew member of a vessel, a pilot or shore personnel.
• Unsafe Conditions: These consist of any identified condition contributing to an occurrence such as:
  • Environmental conditions: Atmospheric conditions, sea state, ice conditions and others such as physical exposure, suction, surge and wash.
  • Vessel condition: The general status of a vessel and its cargo. (This includes improper securing, inadequate or faulty equipment, ship design shortcomings, vessel machinery, piping, electrical and hull failures as well as miscellaneous navigation and control equipment.)
  • Other: These include incorrect soundings, incomplete surveys, obstructions, and shore facility failures.

Miscellaneous

• Gross tons (grt): A measure of vessel capacity in cubic feet of the spaces within the hull, and of enclosed spaces above deck available for cargo, stores, fuel, passengers and crew, with certain exclusions. One hundred cubic feet is equivalent to one gross ton.
• Under way: Vessel not at anchor or made fast to shore or aground.

Foreign Occurrences

Marine ocurrences where a foreign-flag vessel is involved in an accident or incident outside Canadian waters, but of interest to Canadian authorities are also recorded in the TSB database (see Table 2b).

Appendix 2 - Regional Limits

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[1]  A total of 532 shipping accidents were reported in 1999.

[2]  The majority of vessels classified under unknown tonnage measured less than 15 grt.

[3]  "Ship" includes:

1. every description of vessel, boat or craft designed, used or capable of being used solely or partly for marine navigation without regard to method or lack of propulsion, and
2. a dynamically supported craft.

[4]  Pleasure craft means a ship that is used for pleasure or recreation and does not carry goods or passengers for hire or reward.