Sea Safety and Health

Coastal Zone Management & Disaster
Management
Disaster Management
2
Disaster

An ILO report (May 1999) on safety and
health in the fishing industry shows that
compared to other industries, Fatality rate
in fishing is much higher.
As per ILO estimates, the fatality rate in
fishing at global level is about 77% that is
24000 fatalities per year.
In India at the national level one of the major source of
information on status of sea safety is Group Accident Insurance
Scheme for Active Fishermen of Ministry of Agriculture
implemented by the FISHCOPFED and Oriental Insurance Company.
4

A study carried out by the South Indian
Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS) in
Tamil Nadu for the period of 2000–07
estimated about 1210 accidents during the
period excluding the death due to Tsunami.
From the SIFFS study, it can be inferred
that the major causes of drowning are
capsizing, engine failure and surf crossing
mostly during returning from fishing.
Another recent study (2004-09) carried out by the Bay of Bengal
Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) and
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH,USA). The
objective of the study was to found causes of the fishing related
accident during that period. The study indicated that in 62% of the
cases death was due to drowning.
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Drowning

Safety at sea can be defined as a set of measures
including policies, technologies, training, which if properly
implemented can reduce risk associated with marine fisheries.
 The best possible way to improve safety and reduce
vulnerability of the fishermen is inclusive development policies.
6

Sea safety history
 The first international convention concerning safety at sea was SOLAS
(Safety of Life at Sea), prompted by the Titanic disaster in 1911.
 The three organizations of the United Nations, ILO, IMO and FAO have
jointly prepared a Code of safety for fishermen and fishing vessels.
PART A (Adopted in 1968) PART B (Adopted in 1974)
Safety and health
practices for skippers and crews
Safety and health requirements for
the construction and equipment of
fishing vessels
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The factors or risk profile of a fisher engaged in fishing in the sea can
be expressed as:
Policy induced risk includes registration and licensing of a fishing
vessels.
IA induced risks include relationship between boat owner and the
fishers, experiences and training.
Market conditionalities, like need to land catch before sunrise and
lower price competition.
Behavioral risks include habits like drinking, ignoring training, not
carrying First Aid box, etc.
Total risk = Policy-induced risks + Internal Arrangement(IA) induced risks + Market
induced risks + Behavioral risks + External(natural risks).
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ACCIDENT
DEFENSES(inadequate)
UNSAFE ACTS
PRE-CONDITIONS
LINE MANAGEMENT
DEFICIENCIES
FAILURE DECISIONS
ACTIVE
AND
LATENT
FAILURES
LATENT
FAILURES
The complexity of accident causation is illustrated by “Reason’s model” put
forward by Prof. James Reason of Manchester University, U.K.
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The fishers were not aware of any weather warning and venture into
the sea(decision).
They possibly did not inform their voyage plan to their family who could
call for Search and Rescue Operation(SAR) and they crossed into a
shipping route possibly due to lack of navigational training(decision and
line management).
The sea turned rough (pre-condition).
The fishers ventured in to the sea without any personal protection
equipment (PPE) like life jacket or buoy(unsafe act).
They were not having any communication equipment except the
flashlight and even the flashlight not secured (a possible defence).
The development of the model shows
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Types of accidents Possible reasons
Capsizing • Poor stability
• heavy loads on deck
• water trapped on deck
Sinking • Bad construction
• Bad maintenance
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Drifting • Bad engine
installation
• Bad maintenance of
engines
• Lack of fuel
• Lack of trouble-
shooting experience
Collision • Lack of navigation
light
• Tired crews
• Ignorance of driver
12

Fire • Bad engines installation
• Bad installation of
cooking stove
• Short-circuit
Work accidents • Slippery decks
• Unprotected machinery
• Tired crew
13

Health outcomes
• The most prominent health outcomes resulting from recreational use of water
are:
Types of health hazard Possible reasons
Drowning and near-
drowning
• Alcohol consumption
• Waves (coastal, boat, chop)
• Pre-existing disease
• Sea current (including tides, undertow and rate of flow)
• Offshore winds (especially with flotation devices)
• Bottom surface gradient and stability/
• Impeded visibility (including coastal configuration,
structures and overcrowding)
Major impact injuries,
especially spinal injuries
• Poor underwater visibility
• Bottom surface type
• Water depth
• Diving into a wave or into water of unknown depth
• Jumping into water from trees, balconies or other
structures 14

• Source: WHO, 1998
Types of health hazard Possible reasons
Slip, trip and fall injuries
(including bone fracture
and breaks).
Diving into shallow water
Underwater objects (e.g. walls, piers)
Adjacent surface type (e.g. water fronts, jetties)
Poor underwater visibility
Cuts, lesions and
punctures
Presence of broken glass, bottles,
cans and medical wastes
Walking and entering water barefoot
Retinal dislocation “Bombing” (jumping onto other water users)
Diving into water/Jumping into water from height
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Information :
 The first and foremost necessity is to set up a proper accident-
reporting procedure.
 Currently, the BOBP-IGO is working with NIOSH(National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health, USA) to formulate an effective
accident-reporting mechanism.
 They provide Group Insurance Scheme for fisher.
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Policies :
In Indian context fishing is a state subject for inland waters and
waters up to 12 nautical miles. Beyond 12 nautical miles to the extent
of EEZ fishing comes under central government.
Marine Fishing Regulation Act(MFRAs) and Merchant Shipping Act
(MSA) provides for registration and licensing of fishing vessel by Dept.
of Fisheries of the state (1958).
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Considering design of the vessels to designate their area of
operation:
Fishing vessels meet different sea conditions. The
International Standards Organization (ISO) uses the term significant
wave height(SWH) which is the average of the 1/3 highest waves.
These categories are: Oceanic (SWH>4 m)
offshore (SWH< 4 m)
inshore (SWH< 2m) and
sheltered water (SWH < 0.3 m).
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Members of the crew should have current medical fitness certificates .
The preparation of a survival kit such as a “72-hour kit” is advocated by
authorities. These kits may include food, medicines, flashlights, candles
etc.
The ship’s medical kits should be in date and suitable for the area.
Paramedic or Advanced First Aider is must.
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There should be a stretcher on board.
Prescription drugs should be locked up.
 Fresh water tanks should be cleaned regularly.
 Noise level survey should be conducted and results published.
 Smoking policy and areas designated.
 Air quality and conditioning to an acceptable standard.
Contd….
20

Life saving appliances are the equipments used to save the lives in
case any vessel is in danger.
The vessel may be in distress due to various misfortunes like fire,
cyclone, leaks, collision, running around, hitting against iceberg etc.
Some important life saving appliances are:
Life boat
Class c boat
Inflatable life raft
Life buoy
Buoyant apparatus
Self igniting light
Buoyant line
Life jacket
Line throwing appliances
Parachute distress rocket signals
Red star distress signal
Portable radio equipment etc..
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Fire on board the vessel is the most dreadful hazard. Inspite of best
precautions fires do occur on vessels due to various reasons.
All fires are not of same type. The fire extinguishers used for these
fires are also different.
Depending on the type of materials involved, fires are classified as:
 Dry/solid fires
 Inflammable liquid fires
 Electric fires
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Types of fire extinguishers used:
Soda acid and gas/water types
Foam type
Carbon dioxide extinguishers
Dry chemical powder
Halon extinguishers
Fire buckets
Contd….
Fire pump
Fire hydrants
Fire hose
Nozzle
Fireman’s outlet etc.
25

• Light signals are used for avoiding collision in the sea and also to express
the condition of a ship.
• The lights and shapes specified in Rules 20 shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to
these Regulations PART C—LIGHTS AND SHAPES.
Some important light signals used are:
Mast head light
Side light
Stern light
All round light
Towing light
Flash light
Special flashing light etc..
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Masthead
light
Side lights
(Port side)
Side light
(Starboard side)
All round
light
Stern light
Towing
light
Flashing
light
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Flags are also used for express the condition of a ship. It also express the
identity of the ship. There are several types of flags used like:
Administrative flag
Emergency signal flag
Alphabetic flags
Code/Answer Pennants
Numeral Flags
Special Flags
Pennants etc.
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AUTHORITIRES AND ORGANIZATION CONCERNED
TO SEA SAFETY
 FAO,UNO
 NIOSH,USA
 SAR(Search & Rescue) Organization
 Safety Engineers Association (SEA – India)
 Coast guards
 Indian Navy
 Local authorities
 Vessels Monitoring Authority
 Vessel Licensing Authority
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 Sea Explorers Institute Educational Trust, Kolkata
 National Institute of Watersports, Goa, Ministry of Tourism,
Government of India
 Sea Skills Maritime Academy; Coimbator, Tamilnadu; Government
of India
 Institute for Offshore and Maritime Studies(IOMS), Mumbai
 Mumbai Maritime Training Institute(MMTI)
 Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Pune
 Marine Training Academy, Gujarat & Mumbai; Government of
India
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INSTITUTES CONCERNED TO SEA SAFETY

Because risks are the major factors for the accidents in the sea-voyage.
So, pre-voyage check up of fishing vessels like engines, hull, carrying
enough fuel, water, food and medicines ; carrying communication
equipment and signals etc. is very important.
These measures are a part of setting up of an effecting monitoring,
control and surveillance (MCS) mechanism in marine fisheries.
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References
Books:
 SAFETY AT SEA AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT by Gudrun
Petursdottir, Olafur Hannibalsson, Jeremy M.M. Turner
 Safety and Security at Sea 1st Edition by D S Bist Master Mariner
 INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS FOR VISUAL, SOUND, AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
UNITED STATES EDITION 1969 Edition;(Revised 2003)
 Sea safety and life saving appliances- Latha Shenoy
Reports:
 International expert meeting on labour exploitation in the fishing sector in the Atlantic region,25-26
November 2015; Oslo, Norway from ILO
 Report of the food and agriculture organization as requested by general
assembly resolution 61/222 on oceans and the law of the sea from FAO
 INTERNATIONAL—Lights and Shapes
 PHYSICAL HAZARDS, DROWNING AND INJURIES by WHO,2007
Referance links:
https://www.google.co.in/search?biw=1366&bih=657&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=_PQMXL-
7C9jb9QO_5q_oCg&q=induan+fishing+vessel&oq=induan+fishing+vessel&gs_l=img.3...2283098.22958
66..2296292...1.0..0.329.5521.0j31j2j1......0....1..gws-wiz
img.....0..0j0i67j0i10j0i10i24.RbZXuWdGUKY#imgrc=_ 35

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