Encl (2) to COMDTINST 16010.8
Maritime Worker Fatalities
Why We Act
Working in the marine environment can be a dangerous occupation. Although the number of
fatalities is relatively small, maritime workers have one of the highest fatality rates
in the transportation field. Alaskan fishermen, for example, have an occupational
fatality rate 20 times the national average. This loss of life also has negative
economic impacts on the industries, towns, and families involved. The Coast Guard has
the expertise and personnel to minimize these fatalities through education, regulation,
and enforcement.
Key Factors
Human error plays a significant role in
worker fatalities; poor material condition of vessels or equipment plays a lesser role.
The largest portion of fatalities occurs in the fishing industry. Accidents in this
industry involve falls overboard, entanglement, collisions, hull failures, groundings,
and capsizings. The variable nature of this industry makes it difficult to develop
universal fishing safety regulations - vessels vary greatly in size and operate in
diverse locations and climates. Hazards to personnel have also been endemic to the tug
and barge industry. Crewmembers working to attach a barge to a tug, or to free a
grounded vessel are at risk of being crushed in an accident, or falling overboard - the
single greatest cause of fatalities in this industry.
Strategies
The Coast Guard seeks to prevent fatalities by reducing human error and improving
material conditions of vessels and facilities. To accomplish this, we develop safety
regulations, licensing requirements, and risk-based training programs; inspect for
compliance; and partner with industry to educate companies and individual mariners on
safety risks. For vessels not required to be inspected by the Coast Guard, we focus on
education and voluntary action. The Coast Guard also aggressively enforces the new
International Safety Management (ISM) Code. This code changes the philosophy of safety
from a regime based on technical requirements to one that gives equal importance to the
human element. Research and development efforts are utilized to improve safety equipment
and reveal how human decisions play a role in accidents. For those incidents that do
occur, the Coast Guard maintains a search and rescue capability to minimize loss of
life.
Coordination
The Coast Guard coordinates with the Occupational Safety Health Administration in
developing vessel safety standards for equipment such as deck machinery to reduce the
risk of injury and fatalities. We work with the National Transportation Safety Board to
investigate major maritime accidents and use the investigation results to develop better
safety strategies. We investigate less serious incidents to determine causes and
identify trends. In cooperation with private industry, we promote the Prevention Through
People initiative which takes a people-focused approach to reducing casualties. We
partner with the American Waterway Operators, International Council of Cruise Lines, and
the Passenger Vessel Association - the partnership with AWO has already produced a
decline in towboat worker deaths.
10 Safety
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