Britannia Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Club has released its new Crew Claims Report, shedding light on the health challenges facing today’s maritime workforce. An analysis of nearly 3,000 claims filed during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 policy years reveals that illness, not accidents, accounts for the overwhelming majority of seafarer fatalities.
Key Findings
Illness versus Injury
Of the total deaths recorded, a striking 81 % were linked to medical conditions, while only 19 % resulted from injuries sustained on board. Cardiovascular disease emerged as the single most lethal ailment, representing 58 % of all illness‑related fatalities.
Injury Profile
Among the injury claims, hand and finger injuries were the most common, constituting 27 % of all reported cases. Man‑over‑board (MOB) incidents remained a serious concern, accounting for more than one‑third of injury‑related deaths.
Medical Issues Specific to Climate
Abdominal disorders topped the list of illness claims, with dehydration‑induced kidney stones highlighted as a growing problem for crews operating in hotter regions. The report underscores the need for adequate hydration strategies and climate‑aware medical provisions.
Mental Health and Younger Crew Members
Although the absolute numbers are modest, the data reveal a disproportionate incidence of suicides and missing‑at‑sea cases among younger seafarers. This trend mirrors findings from a broader four‑year dataset and points to gaps in mental‑health support and onboard privacy.
Implications for Maritime Safety
Jacob Damgaard, Britannia’s Head of Loss Prevention, emphasized that traditional safety programmes, which focus heavily on accident prevention, must evolve to address the broader health spectrum. He stated, “Our analysis demonstrates that safeguarding crews requires a balanced approach that includes cardiovascular screening, routine health monitoring, and robust mental‑wellbeing initiatives.”
Recommendations
- Implement regular cardiovascular risk assessments for all crew members, especially those over 40.
- Enhance onboard medical kits to include equipment for managing dehydration and abdominal emergencies.
- Introduce confidential mental‑health counseling services, leveraging tele‑medicine platforms where feasible.
- Improve privacy in medical bays to encourage early reporting of health concerns.
- Conduct targeted training on hand‑injury prevention and safe man‑over‑board response procedures.
The findings arrive alongside similar reports from ship manager Anglo‑Eastern, which also identified illness, injury, and other crew cases as the dominant components of its active P&I claims portfolio. Industry observers see this convergence as a clear call to action for ship owners, operators, and classification societies.
Looking Forward
As the maritime sector continues to navigate the complexities of a post‑pandemic workforce, the emphasis on preventive health measures is expected to grow. Enhanced data collection, collaborative health‑risk assessments, and investment in crew welfare are likely to become integral parts of future safety management systems.
By realigning safety strategies to encompass both physical and mental health, the industry can aim to reduce the high proportion of illness‑related fatalities and improve overall crew wellbeing.