Statistics show that throughout the last decade, the number of shipping vessel losses has decreased, leading some people to believe that the industry as a whole has implemented effective techniques to improve safety. Despite this trend, however, the increased complexity of ships over time has led to an increase in the room for error and the potential for a serious accident. Even though extensive training and regulations helps companies avoid mistakes, human error continues to top the charts as one of the most common contributors to major accidents in the shipping industry.
Problems occur often in the industry. It is how workers and companies respond to these problems that determine whether a critical situation and accident will result. Companies often deal with failures by avoiding them in the first place by using the right techniques. They may be trained and prepared to handle critical issues when problems get out of hand. Yet many companies fail to property manage failures at the first onset of a problem, keeping them from turning into a major accident.
By using threat and error management programs, which are currently being used in the aviation industry, some believe that human error can be handled in an effective way. Data shows that by using such programs, serious catastrophes can be reduced by 75 percent. Currently, three seafarers lose their lives and 30 others are injured and a ship is lost on a daily basis in the industry.
If you have been involved in a seafaring accident, you may want to speak to an experienced maritime attorney regarding your rights and legal options.
Source: MarineLink, “Human failure affecting shipping safety performance,” Eric Haun, Jun. 2, 2017.
