open access
Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
MARITIME HEALTH
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
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Fatal accidents in the Islandic fishing fleet 1980-2005
, ,
IMH 2007;58(1-4):47-58.
open access
Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
MARITIME HEALTH
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Abstract
The paper describes how the Icelandic fleet increased from 1980 to 2005, as well as
the number of fishermen employed in the various sections of the fleet.
All categories of the fleet have increased considerably in tonnage, while the number
of fishermen has declined. At the same time the catch per man-year at sea has increased,
rendering the Icelandic fisheries among the most efficient in the world in terms of catch
and value per manpower. The number of fatalities in the Icelandic fisheries has declined steadily in this
period. In absolute numbers these accidents are most common on decked vessels under
45m, but when weighed against man-years, fishermen on open boats are in greatest
danger of losing their lives. The most common cause of fatalities is foundering of the
vessel, which may cause multiple fatalities, then is man-over-board, followed by
drowning in harbour and miscellaneous accidents. The reduction in the number of fatal
accidents at sea may have several reasons. Mandatory safety and survival training of all
fishermen, improved working conditions at sea, better telecommunications, constant
VMS surveillance and a 24hr availability of airborne rescue teams have all helped to
reduce fatalities in the Icelandic fishing fleet from 1980 until 2005.
Abstract
The paper describes how the Icelandic fleet increased from 1980 to 2005, as well as
the number of fishermen employed in the various sections of the fleet.
All categories of the fleet have increased considerably in tonnage, while the number
of fishermen has declined. At the same time the catch per man-year at sea has increased,
rendering the Icelandic fisheries among the most efficient in the world in terms of catch
and value per manpower. The number of fatalities in the Icelandic fisheries has declined steadily in this
period. In absolute numbers these accidents are most common on decked vessels under
45m, but when weighed against man-years, fishermen on open boats are in greatest
danger of losing their lives. The most common cause of fatalities is foundering of the
vessel, which may cause multiple fatalities, then is man-over-board, followed by
drowning in harbour and miscellaneous accidents. The reduction in the number of fatal
accidents at sea may have several reasons. Mandatory safety and survival training of all
fishermen, improved working conditions at sea, better telecommunications, constant
VMS surveillance and a 24hr availability of airborne rescue teams have all helped to
reduce fatalities in the Icelandic fishing fleet from 1980 until 2005.
Get Citation
About this articleTitle
Fatal accidents in the Islandic fishing fleet 1980-2005
Journal
Issue
Pages
47-58
Published online
2010-03-26
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Bibliographic record
IMH 2007;58(1-4):47-58.
Authors
Gudrun Petursdottir
Tryggvi Hjoervar
Hilmar Snorrason
