Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 2011

Table of contents

This document provides users of Canadian maritime safety data with an annual summary of selected statistics on marine occurrences. It covers commercial vessels, which include all vessels registered or licensed to operate commercially. Pleasure craft occurrences are not normally included unless they also involve a commercial vessel.

Users of these statistics are advised that, in a live database, the occurrence data are constantly being updated. Consequently, the statistics can change slightly over time. Further, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified. Therefore, caution should be used when using these statistics. The 2011 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 16 February 2012.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 2011, readers are encouraged to copy or reprint the data presented, in whole or in part, for further distribution (with acknowledgements of the source).

The TSB is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety.

Marine occurrences in 2011

Accidents

Overview of accidents and casualties (Tables 1 and 7)

In 2011, 322 marine accidents were reported to the TSB, down from the 2010 total of 354 and the 2006-2010 average of 420. Over the past 10 years, nearly 90% of marine accidents have been shipping accidents, while the remainder were accidents aboard ship (see Appendix B: Definitions).

Shipping accidents reached a 37-year low of 285 in 2011, a 5% decrease from the 2010 total of 299 and a 22% decrease from the 2006-2010 average of 364. Statistical analysis using linear regression indicates that there has been a significant downward trend¹ in the number of shipping accidents since 2002 (p<0.001) (Figure 1). In 2011, there were 37 accidents aboard ship, down from 55 in 2010 and down from the 2006-2010 average of 56. The majority of accidents aboard ship occurred on fishing vessels (43%) and cargo/bulk carrier/OBO² vessels (32%).

Figure 1 — Accidents aboard ship and shipping accidents, 2002-2011 [D]

Marine-related fatalities totalled 15 in 2011 (Figure 2), down from the 2010 total of 18 and down from the 2006-2010 average of 19. In 2011, fishing vessel accidents accounted for 2 of the 3 shipping vessel accident fatalities and for 10 of the 12 accident aboard ship fatalities.

Injuries in 2011 totalled 40, down from 66 in 2010 and the 2006-2010 average of 72. Thirty of the 40 injuries (29 of the 31 serious injuries) resulted from accidents aboard ship.

Figure 2 - Marine fatalities and injuries, 2002-2011 [D]

Shipping accidents

Type of accidents (Table 1): As illustrated in Figure 3, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 2011 were groundings (25%), strikings (19%) and fire/explosion accidents (18%). Groundings decreased by 27% from the five-year average, while strikings remained approximately the same and fire/explosion accidents decreased by 5%.

Figure 3 - Shipping accidents by accident Type [D]

Type of vessels (Table 1): In 2011, there were 23 560 registered fishing vessels in Canada ³, representing 55% of all registered vessels excluding pleasure craft. Since 2002, 45% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents have been fishing vessels. In 2011, there were 121 fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents (Figure 4), compared to 136 in 2010 and the 2006-2010 average of 169. After fishing vessels, tugs/barges (14%) and bulk carriers/OBO vessels (11%) were involved most often in shipping accidents.

Figure 4 - Shipping accidents by vessel type [D]

Geographical region (Tables 2a and 2b): In 2011, 75% of shipping accidents occurred in three of the seven geographical regions (Figure 5): the Western region (31%), the Maritimes region (23%) and the Laurentian region (21%). Shipping accidents decreased from the 2006-2010 average by 41% in the Central region and 36% in the Newfoundland region. The Central and Newfoundland regions accounted for 9% and 13% of shipping accidents respectively in 2011. Within the narrower waterways of the Central region, accidents most often involved larger commercial vessels such as cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels. The remaining 3% of shipping accidents took place in foreign waters (7) or in the Arctic region (1).

Fishing vessels accounted for 63% of all vessels involved in shipping accidents in the Maritimes region and 52% in the Newfoundland region. In that region, 22 fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents, down 51% from the 2006-2010 average of 45.

Figure 5 - Shipping accidents by region [D]

Vessel Flag (Tables 1, 3 and 4): In 2011, 85% of the 322 vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB were Canadian-flag vessels. In all, 43% of the Canadian-flag vessels were fishing vessels, 40% were commercial non-fishing vessels and the remaining 17% were non-commercial/pleasure craft or service vessels (Figure 6).

Figure 6 - Canadian-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents, 2002-2011 [D]

For Canadian-flag fishing vessels in 2011, groundings (37%) and fire/explosions (21%) were the most frequent shipping accident types. Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels were mostly involved in strikings (35%), fire/explosions (17%), or groundings (16%). Marine activity ⁴ for Canadian commercial non-fishing vessels over 15 gross tons (grt) (excluding passenger vessels and cruise ships) decreased by 16% from the 2006-2010 average. This yields an accident rate of 4.1 accidents per 1000 movements, up from the five-year average of 3.9.

In 2011, 48 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters, 85% of which were commercial non-fishing vessels involved mainly in strikings (32%). Marine activity for foreign commercial non-fishing vessels decreased by 3% from the 2006-2010 average while the accident rate decreased to 1.4 accidents per 1000 movements from the five-year average of 1.8.

Vessels lost (Tables 1 and 6):In 2011, 22 vessels were reported lost, down from 27 in 2010 and the 2006-2010 average of 31. During the past 10 years, small fishing vessels (less than 15 gross tons [grt])⁵ have accounted for the largest proportion of vessels lost in Canada. Of the 22 vessels lost in 2011, 21 were fishing vessels. Half of the vessels lost were less than 15 grt, and 68% were 20 years or older.

Incidents

Overview of incidents (Tables 1, 2a and 2b)

Pursuant to mandatory reporting requirements, 221 marine incidents were reported to the TSB in 2011, down from the 2010 total of 235 and the 2006-2010 average of 251. The majority of reportable incidents consisted of engine/rudder/propeller failures. The Western region had the majority of both close-quarters situations (85%) and engine/rudder/propeller incidents (53%).

In 2011, incidents in the Western region represented 54% of all marine incidents. The proportion of marine incidents in other regions was as follows: Laurentian 25%, Central 13%, Maritimes 4% and Newfoundland 2%. Three reported incidents took place in foreign waters, and one occurred in the Arctic region.

In 2011, vessels most often involved in close-quarters situations were commercial vessels (88%) and fishing vessels (9%). In the majority of these incidents, the vessels involved were ferries, tugs, passenger vessels and cargo vessels.

Figure 7 - Marine incidents by type, 2011 [D]

Appendix A: Marine occurence tables

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Appendix B: Definitions

The following definitions apply to marine occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated regulations.

Marine occurrence

1. any accident or incident associated with the operation of a ship⁴ and
2. any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described in paragraph a) above.

The Act applies

1. in Canada; and
2. in any other place, including waters described in paragraph c), if
   1. Canada is requested to investigate the marine occurrence by an appropriate authority,
   2. the marine occurrence involves a ship registered or licensed in Canada, or
   3. a competent witness to, or person having information concerning a matter that may have contributed to, the marine occurrence arrives or is found at any place in Canada.
3. This Act also applies in respect of marine occurrences related to an activity concerning the exploration or exploitation of the continental shelf.

Reportable marine accident

An accident resulting directly from the operation of a ship other than a pleasure craft,⁵ where

1. a person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of
   1. being on board the ship or falling overboard from the ship, or
   2. coming into contact with any part of the ship or its contents, or
2. the ship
   1. sinks, founders or capsizes,
   2. is involved in a collision (which includes collisions, strikings and contacts),
   3. sustains a fire or an explosion,
   4. goes aground,
   5. sustains damage that affects its seaworthiness or renders it unfit for its purpose, or
   6. is missing or abandoned.

For statistical purposes, accidents defined in paragraph a) are classified as "Accidents Aboard Ship" and accidents defined in paragraph b) are classified as "Shipping Accidents."

Reportable marine incident

An incident resulting directly from the operation of a ship, other than a pleasure craft, where

1. a person falls overboard from the ship;
2. the ship, of 100 gross tons or more, unintentionally makes contact with the bottom without going aground;
3. the ship fouls a utility cable or pipe, or underwater pipeline;
4. the ship is involved in a risk of collision;
5. the ship sustains a total failure of any machinery;
6. the ship sustains a shifting of cargo or a loss of cargo overboard;
7. the ship is intentionally grounded or beached to avoid an accident;
8. any crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the ship is unable to perform the crew member's duties as a result of a physical incapacitation that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment; or
9. any dangerous goods are released on board or from the ship.

Vessels covered

This report covers commercial vessels that include all vessels either registered or licensed to operate commercially. Pleasure craft occurrences are not normally included unless they also involved a commercial vessel.

Vessel categories

• Commercial vessels: include cargo vessels, ferries, tankers, passenger vessels, tugs and barges.
• Fishing vessels: include vessels involved in commercial fishing.
• Other vessels: include research vessels, oil exploration, exploitation and support vessels, government vessels and pleasure craft.

Type of vessel

Cargo: Ships designed for the carriage of various types and forms of cargo and the combined carriage of general cargo and passengers with 12 or less fare-paying passengers.

Bulk carrier: Ships specifically designed for bulk carriage of ore or other dry cargo.

OBO (Oil/Bulk/Ore Carrier): Ships specifically designed for bulk carriage of ore with additional facilities for alternative, but not simultaneous, carriage of oil or loose dry cargo.

Tanker: Propelled ships designed and constructed for the bulk carriage of liquids.

Tug: Vessels designed for the towing and pushing of ships or other floating structures. Additional activity may include salvage, fire-fighting and work duties of a general nature.

Barge: Vessels designed as non-propelled units for the carriage of cargo in holds or in tanks or weather deck cargo space only for the carriage of non-perishable cargo, or specially outfitted for specific operations.

Ferry: Ships that follow a regular scheduled service of relatively short duration, designed for the carriage of passengers and vehicles. There is usually no cabin accommodation for passengers or not all passengers are accommodated in cabins where cabins are provided.

Passenger: Vessels designed for the carriage of passengers.

Fishing: Vessels designed for fishing operations and support.

Service: Vessels designed for supporting marine transportation such as icebreakers, buoy tenders, search and rescue vessels, pilot boats and fireboats.

Non-commercial: Vessels designed to conduct non-commercial activities such as pleasure craft, seaplanes and naval vessels.

Other: Vessels designed for other functions such as laying and repair of sea-bed cables, dredging, training, patrolling as well as ships and platforms designed for the extraction, processing, and storage of oil/gas from offshore wells; ships designed for the carriage of stores and cargo to offshore installations; ships outfitted for support activities related to offshore oil and gas exploration; and vessels designed for research work such as seismic research, oceanic and hydrographic survey.

Type of Accident

Collision: An impact between two or more vessels under way.

Capsizing: To turn over.

Foundering: To fill from above the waterline and sink.

Sinking: To become submerged from water intake below the waterline and settle to the bottom.

Fire: Where a fire is the first event reported.

Explosion: Where an explosion is the first event reported.

Grounding: To touch bottom and remain stranded.

Striking: A hard impact with a stationary object or a vessel not under way.

Ice damage: Damage sustained as a consequence of contact with ice.

Propeller damage: Damage to a vessel propeller, propeller portion or propeller adjoining parts affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.

Rudder damage: Damage to a vessel rudder or rudder adjoining parts affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.

Structural damage: Hull damage, such as cracks and fractures, sustained by a vessel affecting its seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.

Flooding: To fill a compartment below the waterline with water admitted from the sea.

Other: Vessels lost or damaged for other reasons, including contact defined as a lateral/light impact with another vessel or an object (that is, bottom contact affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose).

Miscellaneous

Gross tons (grt): A measure of vessel capacity in cubic feet of the spaces within the hull, and of enclosed spaces above deck available for cargo, stores, fuel, passengers and crew, with certain exclusions. One hundred cubic feet is equivalent to one gross ton.

Movement: A vessel's travel segment between ports with at least one port being a domestic port.

Under way: Vessel not at anchor or made fast to shore or aground.

Appendix C: Regional limits

1. It is agreed by convention that, for a result to be considered statistically significant, its probability must be lower than 1 in 20 (that is, p<0.05). ↑
2. Oil/bulk/ore carrier (OBO), see Appendix B. ↑
3. Source: Transport Canada. ↑
4. Source: Transport Canada. ↑
5. The majority of vessels classified under “unknown tonnage” were vessels known to be 15 gross tons or less. ↑