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Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
Original article
Submitted: 2019-03-01
Accepted: 2019-03-06
Published online: 2019-03-28
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Crew and passenger deaths from vessel accidents in United Kingdom passenger ships since 1900

Tim Carter1, John G Williams2, Stephen E. Roberts2
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2019.0001
·
Pubmed: 30931511
·
IMH 2019;70(1):1-10.
Affiliations
  1. Norwegian Centre for Maritime and Diving Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
  2. Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

open access

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
MARITIME MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2019-03-01
Accepted: 2019-03-06
Published online: 2019-03-28

Abstract

Background: There is very limited systematic analysis of the causes and consequences of maritime accidents across the whole passenger sector during the twentieth century either in United Kingdom (UK) or in other maritime nations, but some of the larger events have been the subject of detailed investigations that led to improved safety measures. In recent years, there has been increased attention to the analysis of passenger ship accidents, especially in relation to the two now dominant markets: vehicle/passenger ferries and cruise ships.

Materials and methods: Long-term trends since 1900 in passenger and crew deaths on UK seagoing pas- senger ships that have sustained a maritime accident, as defined by Lloyds Register, have been collated and analysed. 

Results: Over the course of the 20th century, there has been a continuous fall in the number of incidents and in their severity. This may be a reflection of improved vessel safety, however the scale and nature of UK passenger shipping has also changed markedly over the period.

Conclusions: In addition to the reducing frequency of deaths it is apparent that the majority of fatalities in both crew and passengers came from a very small number of major events during the study period. Altho- ugh there has been no major disaster involving a UK passenger ship in the last 30 years, major casualties with heavy loss of life continue in the world passenger fleet, in recent years involving flags such as Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and The Philippines. 

Abstract

Background: There is very limited systematic analysis of the causes and consequences of maritime accidents across the whole passenger sector during the twentieth century either in United Kingdom (UK) or in other maritime nations, but some of the larger events have been the subject of detailed investigations that led to improved safety measures. In recent years, there has been increased attention to the analysis of passenger ship accidents, especially in relation to the two now dominant markets: vehicle/passenger ferries and cruise ships.

Materials and methods: Long-term trends since 1900 in passenger and crew deaths on UK seagoing pas- senger ships that have sustained a maritime accident, as defined by Lloyds Register, have been collated and analysed. 

Results: Over the course of the 20th century, there has been a continuous fall in the number of incidents and in their severity. This may be a reflection of improved vessel safety, however the scale and nature of UK passenger shipping has also changed markedly over the period.

Conclusions: In addition to the reducing frequency of deaths it is apparent that the majority of fatalities in both crew and passengers came from a very small number of major events during the study period. Altho- ugh there has been no major disaster involving a UK passenger ship in the last 30 years, major casualties with heavy loss of life continue in the world passenger fleet, in recent years involving flags such as Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and The Philippines. 

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Keywords

passenger ships; deaths; United Kingdom; maritime casualties; fire; collision; foundering; grounding

About this article
Title

Crew and passenger deaths from vessel accidents in United Kingdom passenger ships since 1900

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)

Article type

Original article

Pages

1-10

Published online

2019-03-28

Page views

2038

Article views/downloads

2807

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2019.0001

Pubmed

30931511

Bibliographic record

IMH 2019;70(1):1-10.

Keywords

passenger ships
deaths
United Kingdom
maritime casualties
fire
collision
foundering
grounding

Authors

Tim Carter
John G Williams
Stephen E. Roberts

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