As many accidents on ships have taken place over time, various IMO conventions were put into effect to try to reduce incidents on board ships; while these conventions have partially succeeded in doing this, similar accidents still happen from time to time.

Even maritime accidents that were previously identified are often ignored by the shipping industry. This study uses importance-performance analysis, Borich’s needs assessment and locus for focus models to examine whether any recommended countermeasures from previous accidents are implemented or not.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are among the most prevalent maritime injuries, often occurring due to wet or slippery surfaces onboard, improper lighting in hallways and stairwells, spilled food or beverages and more.

Accident victims can sustain injuries ranging from the discomfort of broken wrists to more serious trauma such as brain or spinal cord traumas that require lifelong medical care and rehabilitation services.

Cruise lines have an obligation to protect their passengers, and when they breach this responsibility by failing to provide non-slip surfaces in wet areas or maintain staircases in an adequate manner, they could be held liable for any resulting slip and fall accident injuries. Therefore, victims should contact an attorney experienced with cruise ship accident cases immediately in order to file their claims as quickly as possible; delays could mean forfeiting them altogether.

Drowning

Drowning is a major global health concern and one of the primary causes of unintentional deaths in coastal waters. Victims can face numerous complications after being immersed, including memory loss, cognitive ability changes, mood swings and difficulties with motor skills; long-term physical injuries including scarring or even amputation may result from their experience.

If someone survives drowning but then inhales water into their lungs afterward, this may result in late or secondary drowning – or what’s known as “pulmonary edema”, which occurs as oxygen exchange becomes disrupted in their lungs and causes them to fail exchanging oxygen to be exchanged – up to 72 hours post original drowning incident.

The number of deaths related to snorkelling-related drowning varies dramatically and often depends on data collection methods, populations studied and casualty characteristics. Variations in terminology for different bodies of water and the inclusion of drowning as either the primary or contributing cause in pathologist reports can make comparisons between water sites impossible.

Collisions

Vessel collisions can result in serious injuries for crew and passengers alike, becoming an ever-increasing hazard due to increased shipping traffic. While safety protocols and regulations exist to help reduce collision risk, their efficacy varies considerably from case to case.

Collisions between vessels and marine animals have become a growing source of concern due to the potential threat they pose to whales and other large marine mammals (Laist et al, 2001). While some attention may have been focused on impacts posed by larger ships as these may be more likely to collide with whales than smaller vessels do, all vessels pose some level of risk for collision.

Vessel collisions often result from human error, including neglecting navigation laws, disregarding maritime traffic regulations and not keeping a lookout. Accidents also may happen due to equipment failure or poor maintenance; while international efforts might take more time for dissemination; local efforts educating mariners on collision risks might provide quicker solutions.

Maritime Law

Maritime law encompasses an expansive spectrum of issues related to ship safety, seaman rights, cargo claims and vessel accidents. It encompasses regulations developed by nations such as the US or other regions as well as court rulings or national/international treaties with multiple nations.

Admiralty and maritime laws can have an enormous impact on how, when, and where lawsuits are filed as well as any financial compensation available to victims. For instance, cruise ship passengers and crew injured on the high seas may have different statutes of limitation than those working on commercial vessels.

Maritime laws also cover incidents occurring away from the ocean, such as in a shipyard or port. Spouses and family members of workers killed on the job in these situations may have grounds for wrongful death damages claims if negligence or unseaworthiness can be established; because maritime law can be complex, it’s wise to consult a knowledgeable maritime attorney.