AMSA collects and records data on operational related fatalities5 on regulated Australian and foreign flagged vessels. Between 2016 and 2019, there were seven fatalities associated with seven incidents (Figure 19). All occurred on foreign-flagged vessels. Six involved crew members and one (in 2016) was a passenger fatality.
Figure 19. Total number of fatalities reported by year, by crew and passengers
Of the six crew fatalities, two involved elevator maintenance, one was a result of an electrical shock and three of the crew fatalities involved falls.
In response to these incidents, AMSA has published safety bulletins and marine notices on these topics, including:
- Electrical Safety (2016/03) – This safety bulletin explores electrical safety and aims to provide further awareness and recommended actions that will promote an effective electrical safety culture on board ships.
- Working over the side (2016/04) – This safety bulletin focuses on working over the side and safety issues associated with such tasks.
- Fatal accidents caused by moving elevators on ships (2020/01) – This marine notice highlights shipowners, operators, masters and crews obligation to ensure safe working arrangements are in place for any work involving a ship’s elevator.
Figure 20 provides a breakdown of the fatality data for the period 2016 to 2019 by vessel type with most fatalities occurring on bulk carriers.
Figure 20. Total number of fatalities reported by vessel type (2016-2019)
Footnote: 5 These include fatalities associated with the operation of the vessel and are captured as a fatality occurring during a marine incident.