The project aims to reduce the number of marine incidents and accidents as well as protect human life at sea in Greece, Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean by strengthening maritime safety culture among seafarers and other marine professionals such as fishermen, boat owners and crews as well as leisure and sea tourism as well as recreational boaters.
Why is there a need to strengthen maritime safety culture?
- As shipping accounts for 90% of the world trade, safety of ships and crews is crucial for the global economy.
- Despite technological developments, 75% – 96% of human error remain the leading cause of most accidents and incidents (Allianz Safety & Shipping review 2018).
- The Eastern Mediterranean region is one of the global “hotspots” with the highest number of marine accidents and incidents during the last decade, according to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence Casualty Statistics and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
Distribution of maritime incidents / accidents in the Mediterranean Sea 2011-2017 (EMSA, 2018)
- Marine accidents and other incidents reports involving merchant ships, fishing boats and vessels of all types are steadily increasing since 2013 in Greece and Cyprus, according to data from the Hellenic Bureau for Marine Casualties Investigation (HBMCI) and Marine Accident and Incident Investigation Committee (MAIC) from Cyprus, respectively.
Number of maritime incidents / accidents in Greece, 2013-2019 Source: Hellenic Bureau for Marine Casualties and Incidents Report, 2019
