MARINE STATISTICS - 2000

Foreword

This document provides users of Canadian maritime safety data with an annual summary of selected statistics on marine occurrences. Information in this summary is also posted on the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) Internet site at http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca.

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 2000 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 23 February 2001.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the TSB Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 2000, 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
4^th Floor
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Telephone (819) 994-3741
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E-mail: communications@bst-tsb.gc.ca

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2001
Cat. No. TU1-1/2000 ISBN 0-662-65670-9

OVERVIEW

ACCIDENTS

General Statistics (Table 1)

In 2000, 528 marine accidents involving 569 vessels were reported to the TSB. Of these, 451 (85%) were shipping accidents; the remainder were accidents aboard ship.

The 2000 total of 451 reported shipping accidents represents a decrease of 15% compared to 1999. In general, the number of shipping accidents has been declining since 1991, when there were 904 accidents reported (Figure 1).

Using linear regression to identify general trends in occurrence data reported to the TSB over the ten-year period from 1991-2000, a significant downward trend in the number of shipping accidents has been identified (p<.001) (Figure 2). Similar results were obtained in comparing the commercial vessel accident rate and the Canadian fishing vessel accident rate.

In 2000, 82% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB 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 over the last 10 years (Figure 3). The number of Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents generally decreased over the 1991-2000 period, with an average annual decline of 7%, from 849 ships in 1991 to 405 in 2000.

Of the foreign-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents in 2000, 83% were commercial vessels. The 2000 total is comparable to 1999. The reduction in the number of foreign-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents from 1991 to 2000 is equivalent to an average decline of almost 7% per year from 181 vessels in 1991 to 87 in 2000.

As in most years since 1991, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 2000 were groundings, strikings, fires and/or explosions, and floodings (Figure 4). The number of shipping accidents declined from 1991 until 1994 when they increased by 12% compared to 1993. After 1994, the number of shipping accidents continued to decline until 1999 when there was an increase. The 2000 figure represents a decrease of 15% compared to 1999. There has been a notable decrease in the number of accidents of all types in 2000 compared to the 1995-1999 annual average.

Since 1991, about 50% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents have been fishing vessels. The next largest categories have been bulk carriers/OBO⁽¹⁾ vessels (13%) 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 9% and 3% of the accidents, respectively. The proportion of bulk carriers involved in accidents is equivalent to last year's and to the 1991-1999 annual average. In 2000, there were 239 fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents, which represents a 15% decrease compared to 1999 and is 24% less than the 1995-1999 annual average. The 2000 figure is almost half that of the 1991 total of 481.

In 2000, 34 vessels were reported lost; 20% fewer than in 1999. There has been an average annual decline of about 12% since 1991, when 118 vessels were reported lost. Almost two-thirds of the vessels lost in 2000 were less than 15 gross tons(grt)⁽²⁾.

In addition to shipping accidents, an average of 62 accidents aboard ship were reported to the TSB annually during the last decade. The 2000 total of 77 accidents is 24% higher than the ten-year average.

There were 31 marine-related fatalities in 2000, a decrease over the previous five-year and ten-year annual averages of 37 and 33 respectively (Figure 5).

Distribution of Shipping Accidents (Tables 2 to 9)

Geographical Region (See Appendix 2): In 2000, almost three quarters of shipping accidents occurred in only three regions: the Western Region (38%), the Maritimes Region (18%) and the Newfoundland Region (18%) (Figure 6). 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. The number of fishing vessels involved in accidents in the Newfoundland Region decreased by 26% from 75 in 1999 to 56 in 2000, this is 11% below the 1995-1999 annual average of 63. The number of fishing vessels involved in accidents in the Maritimes Region decreased by 21% to 73 in 2000 from 95 in 1999, and a decrease of 19% from the 1995-1999 annual average. The remaining 4% of shipping accidents took place in Foreign Waters and in the Arctic Region.

Canadian Vessels by Type: Of the 405 Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents in 2000, 228 were fishing vessels. From 1991 to 2000, nearly 27% of fishing vessel shipping accidents were groundings. In 2000, 134 commercial vessels were involved in shipping accidents. Between 1991 and 2000, about 30% of commercial vessel accidents were striking accidents. The remaining 43 Canadian vessels involved in accidents in 2000 were non-commercial/pleasure craft and service vessels. More than half of the accidents reported from 1991 to 2000 involving these types of vessels were strikings, groundings and fires/explosions. The Canadian commercial vessel accident rate has improved from about 7 to 4 vessel accidents per 1000 trips from 1991 to 2000.

Foreign Vessels by Type: A total of 87 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters in 2000; over 80% of these were commercial vessels. Between 1991 and 2000, more than 45% of the foreign-flag commercial vessel accidents were strikings and groundings. The foreign commercial vessel accident rate has declined from about 4 to 2 vessel accidents per 1000 trips over the last 10 years.

Factors: Over the past decade, in shipping accidents investigated where factors were assigned, over 75% of factors assigned to Canadian and/or foreign-flag vessels involved unsafe acts and/or unsafe conditions; the most common included atmospheric conditions (28%), followed by general vessel conditions (15%), and mechanical conditions (10%) (see Table 5). For definitions, please see Appendix 1.

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.

Age and Type of Vessels Lost: In 2000, 34 vessels were reported lost, 24% fewer than in 1999 (Figure 7). About 30% of the vessels lost in 2000 were more than 25 years old. Of that 2000 total, 3 were commercial vessels (mainly tugs, see Table 1a), 28 were fishing vessels and the last 3 were of another category. During the past 10 years, small fishing vessels (under 15 grt) account for the largest proportion of vessels lost in Canada, and their ages, if known, are usually distributed unevenly.

Table 1a - Commercial Vessels Reported Lost in 2000

INCIDENTS (Tables 1, 2 and 10)

Pursuant to mandatory reporting requirements, 249 marine incidents were reported to the TSB in 2000; 69 more than in 1999, and 21 more than the 26-year maximum of 228 recorded in 1994.

The increase in incidents on record is largely attributable to the the rise in the number of Canadian fishing vessel mechanical failures reported on the West Coast over the past two years. Last year, West Coast incidents represented 44% of all marine incidents, up sharply from an average of about 30% in the previous 10 years. This may coincide with increased economic pressures affecting the maintenance and condition of fishing vessel equipment and machinery, and changing fishery management policies in areas such as restricted fishing seasons, limits on the "total allowable catch" and setting fishing quotas.

The percentage, by region, of other marine incidents reported in 2000 was as follows: Laurentian 20%, the Maritimes 14%, Central 13%, and Newfoundland 6%. The remaining 2% of reported incidents took place in Foreign Waters and in the Arctic Region.

Still, there is no significant linear trend (p>.05) in the number of marine incidents, commercial vessel incident rate, or in the Canadian fishing vessel incident rate over the last ten-year period⁽³⁾ (Figure 8).

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 number of incidents. These represented 36% of the total number of incidents in 1994, and they have represented around 40% since 1997 (Figure 9).

Most of the 202 close-quarters situations reported over the last five years involved non-commercial/pleasure craft with cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels. Many also involved tugs/barges with other tugs/barges, fishing vessels and other craft and vessels; others involved fishing vessels with cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels, other fishing vessels, etc. In comparison, when collisions actually took place, over half of the 89 collisions were between two or more fishing vessels, followed by cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels with other cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels or tugs/barges with other tugs/barges.

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⁽⁴⁾, 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⁽⁵⁾, 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.

Other vessels: include research vessels, oil exploration, exploitation and support vessels, government vessels and pleasure craft.

Type of Vessel

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 occurrences 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. Oil/Bulk/Ore Carrier (OBO). See Appendix 1.

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

3. Using a linear regression to identify general trends in incident data reported to the TSB from 1991-2000.

4. "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.

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