Page 9 - The flag March 2016

INCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIONS2016 IN REVIEW2016 proved to be exceptionally busy for Incident Reporting and Investigations. A marked increase of 19% in reported incidents was observed when compared with 2015 gures.u THOMASJENKINSASSISTANT DIRECTOR – CASUALTYThe most common and frequently occurring type of accident were passenger related (slips, trips, and falls) followed closely by natural deaths across the eet. An increase in the number of occupational incidents can be attributed to more detailed reporting requirements in the Maritime Labour Convention. The most typical problem associated with these incidents was the fact that crew involved in the task failed to identify the risks involved properly before starting. Sometimes risk avoidance strategies were not implemented, and in some cases, individuals did not follow established procedures.These incidents have clearly demonstrated that the implementation of sound risk management and safety practices to prevent injury and loss of life is essential.However, other accident and incident categories contributed to the overall increase in reported incidents. For example, reports of collision/contact incidents rose by 44%, machinery failures by 79%, and the number of COLREGS/TSS violations increased by 17%. Collisions and groundings under pilotage unfortunately remain a very common occurrence contributing signi cantly to these gures.Ten investigations into very serious marine casualties were commenced in 2016 in accordance with the IMO Casualty Investigation Code (MSC.255(84)). Signi cantly, four investigations directly involved incidents with Life Saving Appliances involving fatalities. The BMA remains alert to accidents of this nature and has given heightened attention to internal company investigations into all reported occurrences to ensure effective measures can be put in place to avoid repetition.Many of our investigations are ongoing and it is too early to determine definitive causal factors. However, where safety issues are evident at an early stage a proactive approach has been taken with the introduction of Safety Alerts.The alerts aim, in general, to highlight identified deficiencies and contributory factors, promulgate lessons learned and where necessary provide recommendations to stakeholders outside those directly involved in the case under investigation in an effort to avoid incidents occurring in the future.In 2016, the marine investigation reports finalized and published included the Amazon (crew fatality during an abandon ship drill); the Bahamas Celebration (grounding), the Boudicca (engine room fire), and the Baltic Ace (collision and sinking with fatalities).The Bahamas Maritime Authority makes all its investigation reports publicly available through its website at http://www. bahamasmaritime.com/maritime/maritime- affairs-casualty/reports-of-investigations.THE MARINE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS’ INTERNATIONAL FORUMThe Marine Accident Investigators’ International Forum (MAIIF) exists to promote and improve the bene ts and standards of casualty investigations with the ultimate objective to improve maritime safety. Its members include the investigation bodies of all the major maritime administrations, and the BMA is an enthusiastic and invaluable contributor.Many of the discussion topics in the forum reflect the developing safety issues in the industry. Examples of recent topics that have been and are still enlivening debate include: • Fatigue, and particularly thepossibility that long tours of duty, is a significant factor in maritime accidents.• Continuing concerns aboutthe master/pilot/bridge team working relationship. The forum produced and distributed apilotage safety poster in association with IMPA in 2016.• Fires on car decks of ro-ro ferries where the stowage of vehicles can seriously impede access for fire-fighting.• Engine room fires on passenger ships.• Verbal shipboard communications including intraship, intership communications and those between ship and VTS.• Improving communication and cooperation between the states involved in a casualty investigation as a key means to improve investigation practice.These and other topics will be discussed at MAIIF’s 26th annual meeting which will be held in New Zealand in November 2017 as well as at meetings of its regional sub groups in Europe, America and Asia. In the meantime, prior to the meeting, MAIIF will collect data on these issues and other subjects and, in its role as an IGO at IMO, assist the organization in all technical aspects of casualty investigation. MAIIF is making a valuable contribution to improving maritime safety but there is still much to do.u CAPTAIN NICK BEER EXC FNI GENERAL SECRETARY MARINE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS’ INTERNATIONAL FORUMthe ag 9