MARINE STATISTICS - 2001

Foreword

This document provides users of Canadian maritime safety data with an annual summary of selected statistics on marine occurrences. It covers commercial vessels which include all vessels registered or licensed to operate commercially. Pleasure craft occurrences are not normally included unless they also involved a commercial vessel.

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 2001 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 06 March 2002.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the TSB Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 2001, 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

In 2001, 517 marine accidents involving 565 vessels were reported to the TSB. Of these, 458 (89%) were shipping accidents; the remainder were accidents aboard ship (see Appendix A - Definitions).

The 2001 total of 458 reported shipping accidents represents an increase of 2% compared to 2001, but a decrease of 12% compared to the 1996-2001 average of 523 (Figure 1).

In general, the number of shipping accidents has been declining since 1992, when 840 were reported. Using linear regression to identify general trends in occurrence data reported to the TSB over the ten-year period from 1992-2001, a significant downward trend[1] was identified (p<.001). Similar results were obtained for the downward trends in the commercial vessel accident rate (p<.05) and the Canadian fishing vessel accident rate (p<.05).

In 2001, 85% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB were Canadian vessels. Of these, 54% were fishing vessels, which continue to represent the largest share of Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents over the last 10 years (Figure 2). The number of Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents generally decreased over the 1992-2001 period, with an average annual decline of 5.5%, from 755 ships in 1992 to 429 in 2001.

The 2001 total of 77 foreign-flag vessels involved in accidents represents a 10% decrease from the 2001 total of 86. Of those 77, 79% were commercial vessels. The decrease in the number of foreign-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents from 1992 to 2001 is equivalent to an average decline of 7% per year from the 1992 total of 160.

As in most years since 1992, the most frequent types of shipping accidents (all flags) in 2001 were groundings, strikings, fires and/or explosions, and floodings (Figure 3). Compared to the five-year averages, the number of groundings have decreased from 133 to 114; however, the number of strikings (83 to 88), fires/explosions (74 to 84), and floodings (62 to 70) increased.

Since 1996, about 50% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents have been fishing vessels. In 2001, there were 246 fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents, which represents a 3% increase compared to 2001, but a 13% decrease from the 1996-2001 annual average of 282. The number of fishing vessels involved in accidents decreased by nearly one-half from the 1992 total of 467. Proportionately, the next largest categories of vessels involved in accidents (all flags) in 2001 were tugs/barges (13%) and bulk carriers / OBO[2] vessels (11%). The proportion of tugs/barges involved in accidents was comparable to last year's and to the 1996-2001 proportional average of 13%, and the proportion of bulk carriers / OBO vessels was slightly lower than the 1996-2001 proportional average of 12%. In 2001, vessels that pose a greater risk to persons and the environment, such as ferry / passenger vessels and tankers, accounted for 8% and 3% respectively of vessels involved in accidents.

In 2001, 46 vessels were reported lost, a 24% increase over the 37 lost in 2001. Overall, however, there has been an average annual decline of 7% since 1992, when 94 vessels were reported lost. Nearly one-half of the vessels lost in 2001 had a gross tonnage of less than 15 grt.[3]

In addition to shipping accidents, an annual average of 65 accidents aboard ship were reported to the TSB between 1996 and 2001. The 2001 total of 59 is 9% lower than that five-year average.

There were 34 marine-related fatalities in 2001 (Figure 4), up from the previous five-year average of 31. Injuries in 2001 numbered 67, down from 90 in 2001 and from the previous five-year average of 81.

Distribution of Shipping Accidents

Geographical Region (Table 2a and Table 2b): In 2001, almost three-quarters of shipping accidents occurred in three of the seven geographical regions: the Western Region (34%), the Maritimes Region (20%) and the Newfoundland Region (15%) (Figure 5). The number of vessels lost was also highest in these regions. Fishing vessel accidents dominated the accident record in these coastal waters. In the Western Region, tug and barge-related accidents were also common. The Central and Laurentian regions each accounted for 15% and 13% of shipping accidents respectively; within narrower waterways, accidents most often involved larger commercial vessels such as cargo / OBO vessels and tankers. The remaining 3% of shipping accidents took place in Foreign Waters and in the Arctic Region. Only in the Central Region did accidents increase compared to the five-year average (to 67 from 60).

In the Newfoundland Region in 2001, 58 fishing vessels were involved in accidents compared to 56 in 2001, and 10% fewer than the 1996-2001 annual average of 65. In the Maritimes Region, 75 fishing vessels were involved in accidents compared to 73 in 2001, and 6% fewer than the 1996-2001 annual average of 80.

Canadian Vessels (Table 3): Of the 429 Canadian vessels involved in shipping accidents in 2001, 232 were fishing vessels. From 1992 to 2001, 27% of fishing vessel accidents were groundings. In 2001, 146 commercial vessels were involved in shipping accidents. Between 1992 and 2001, 28% of commercial vessel accidents were strikings. From 1992 to 2001, the Canadian commercial vessel accident rate has improved from 4.8 accidents per 1000 trips to 3.6. The remaining 51 Canadian vessels involved in accidents in 2001 were non-commercial / pleasure craft or service vessels. More than half of the accidents reported from 1992 to 2001 involving these types of vessels were strikings (26%), groundings (16%) or fires/explosions (14%).

Foreign-flag Vessels (Table 4): A total of 77 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters in 2001; 61 of these were commercial vessels. Between 1992 and 2001, more than two-thirds of foreign-flag commercial vessel accidents were strikings (46%) or groundings (23%). From 1992 to 2001, the foreign-flag commercial vessel accident rate improved from 4.0 accidents per 1000 trips to 1.8.

Operating Certificates (Table 5): 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 certificates of competency; 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 certificates of competency.

Age and Type of Vessels Lost (Table 6): In 2001, 46 vessels were reported lost (Figure 6), 9 more than in 2001. Of those, 6 were commercial vessels (all but 1 were lost in the Western Region), and 39 were fishing vessels. About one-third of the vessels lost in 2001 were at least 30 years old. During the past 10 years, small fishing vessels (under 15 grt) account for the largest proportion of vessels lost in Canada.

Incidents

Pursuant to mandatory reporting requirements, 239 marine incidents were reported to the TSB in 2001; 11 less than in 2001, but 35% more than the 1996-2001 annual average of 176.

The increase in incidents on record is largely attributable to the continuing rise in the number of Canadian fishing vessel mechanical failures reported on the West Coast over the past two years, as well as to an increase in the number of close-quarters situations in that region. Last year, incidents on the West Coast represented 51% of all marine incidents, up sharply from the previous five-year average of 33%. This may coincide with increased economic pressures affecting the maintenance and condition of fishing vessel equipment and machinery, changing fishery management policies in areas such as restricted fishing seasons, limits on the "total allowable catch", and changes in fishing quotas.

The percentage, by region, of other marine incidents reported in 2001 was as follows: Laurentian 16%, the Maritimes 14%, Central 11%, and Newfoundland 5%. The remaining 3% of reported incidents took place in Foreign Waters and in the Arctic Region.

Since 1994, engine/rudder/propeller incidents have been the most common incident type, comprising about 40% of all incidents since 1997. Prior to 1994, close-quarters situations were the most common type of incident reported, and remains the second most common type, comprising 25% of all incidents in 2001.

Collisions and Close-Quarters Situations (Table 9)

Most of the 225 close-quarters situations reported over the last five years involved non-commercial / pleasure craft (118 vessels) or cargo / bulk carrier / OBO vessels (111 vessels). Many also involved tugs/barges with other tugs/barges or with fishing vessels, and others involved fishing vessels with other fishing vessels or with cargo / bulk carrier / OBO vessels. Although 81 fishing vessels (17% of all vessels involved in this incident type) were involved in close-quarters situations over the last five years, actual collisions involved 71 fishing vessels (32% of all 162 vessels involved in collisions) over that period, and of those 71, 52 collided with another fishing vessel. Other more common collisions were cargo / bulk carrier / OBO vessels with other cargo / bulk carrier / OBO vessels or with tugs/barges, as well as tugs/barges with other tugs/barges.

APPENDIX A - 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 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 (i.e. bottom contact affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose).

Miscellaneous

Gross tonnage (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 (Table 2b).

Appendix B - Regional Limits

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[1]  It is agreed by convention that for a result to be considered statistically significant, its probability must be lower than 1 in 20 (i.e., p < .05).

[2]  Oil / Bulk / Ore Carrier (OBO). See Appendix A.

[3]  The majority of vessels classified under unknown tonnage were less than 15 grt.

[4]  Ship includes:

1. every description of vessel, boat or craft designed, used or capable of being used solely orpartly 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.