Britannia P&I Club analysis finds four in five crew deaths linked to illness rather than accidents
New report highlights cardiovascular disease as leading cause of fatalities and raises concerns over mental health risks among younger seafarers. More than four in five crew deaths reported to Britannia P&I Club were caused by illness rather than accidents, according to a new analysis of nearly 3,000 crew-related claims, prompting renewed calls for greater focus ...
A new analysis by the Britannia P&I Club reveals that 81% of crew deaths are linked to illness rather than accidents, according to a study of nearly 3,000 crew-related claims. Cardiovascular disease emerged as the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for 58% of illness-related deaths. The report, developed in collaboration with maritime medical specialist Dr. Katherine Sinclaire of MedSea, also highlights a concerning trend of mental health issues affecting younger seafarers.
Suicide and instances of seafarers missing at sea disproportionately impact younger crew members, with the club noting a similar pattern across a broader four-year dataset.
The report, which utilized claims reported during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 policy years, identifies other significant health risks faced by seafarers. Hand and finger injuries were the most common onboard injuries, making up 27% of injury claims, while man overboard incidents accounted for more than one-third of injury-related fatalities.
Illnesses accounted for 60% of all crew claims, compared to 36% for injuries and 4% for fatalities. Abdominal conditions and dehydration-linked kidney stones were identified as notable concerns for seafarers working in hot environments.
The report emphasizes the importance of preventative health measures, cardiovascular wellbeing, and mental health support across the maritime industry. It calls for greater focus on preventative health, cardiovascular wellbeing, and mental health support for maritime crews. Head of Loss Prevention at Britannia P&I Club, Jacob Damgaard, highlighted the need for a broader approach to crew welfare that prioritizes long-term health and prevention over immediate safety incidents.
The club aims to help Members move beyond compliance to a proactive safety culture where prevention is integrated into everyday operations.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
