MAIB Analysis of UK Fishing Vessel Safety

Marine Accident Investigation Branch Report for 1992 to 2006

Nov 30, 2008 Alan Sorum

Like in Alaska, commercial fishing is the most dangerous occupation found in the United Kingdom. A study has been released to address this problem.

The United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is charged with investigating maritime accidents with the goal of preventing future incidents. Developing an understanding of the cause and circumstances that lead to a boating accident in the first place may reduce future mishaps.

Roberts and Williams of Swansea University released a study in 2007 titled Update of mortality for workers in the UK merchant shipping and fishing factors that detailed disturbing information about fatal accident rates experienced by fishermen in the United Kingdom. According to the study, fishermen experienced a fatal accident rate that 115 times higher than seen by the average worker and 24 times higher than construction workers in the UK.

Armed with the knowledge that commercial fishing is the most dangerous occupation in the United Kingdom, the MAIB launched its own study to investigate the causal and contributing factors related to fatal accidents in the industry. Using these results, the MAIB crafted some conclusions and recommendations for improving fishing vessel safety. This study was released by the agency in November of 2008 and titled Analysis of UK Fishing Vessel Safety 1992 to 2006.

Analysis of UK Fishing Vessel Safety

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch looked at deaths of fishermen on UK registered vessels that occurred between 1992 and 2006. Fishermen, vessel agents, fishing organizations, government regulators, vessel owners, and ship insurers were all interviewed in developing this report.

Significant Study Findings

The analysis of fishing vessel safety produced significant findings that are key to developing strategies for improving safety. Among these findings:

The number of fatal accidents among fishermen has fallen during the study period, but the actual accident rate is increasing due to a reduction in the size of the fishing fleet
The majority of fishing vessel accidents are caused by a failure of the machinery
Most vessels were lost due to flooding or floundering and most of the casualties were boats under 12 meters long
A disproportionate number of vessels in the 15 to 24 meter length class were involved in losses
A total of 256 fishermen died during the study period from 1992 to 2006 and a third of these were the result of falls overboard
Of 65 fatalities that occurred while vessels were at sea, only one of the fishermen involved was wearing a lifejacket
Stability issues were found in many of the accidents investigated

MAIB Fishing Safety Recommendations

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is charged with preventing accidents by providing stakeholders with data on what caused causalities in the past. The agency found that is has been inconsistent in providing this information. Here are a few of the recommendation made in the analysis study:

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency should clarify requirements for conducting risk assessments by fishermen, align standards for small fishing boats with the more stringent requirement found for work boats, and require vessels under 15 meters to carry EPIRBs
The Department of Transport and Maritime and Coastguard Agency should collaborate on a plan to reduce the high fatality rate found in the fishing industry
Numerous regulatory agencies are encouraged to integrate safety concerns with resource and fishery policy plans, review grant funding decisions that impact vessel safety, and review training requirements

In the study's introduction, MAIB Chief Inspector Stephen Meyer states, "The study as a whole is offered as a contribution to the important work that must urgently be pursued to bring the accident rate in the fishing industry down to a level that is acceptable in the 21st Century United Kingdom."

A copy of the study can be downloaded from the MAIB website. Hopefully its release will reduce the average of 126 out of 100,000 fishermen that die each year in the industry.

The copyright of the article MAIB Analysis of UK Fishing Vessel Safety in Boating & Sailing is owned by Alan Sorum. Permission to republish MAIB Analysis of UK Fishing Vessel Safety in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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