2004 Maritime Casualty Statistics

This article focuses on the maritime fatalities and injuries reported to the U.S. Coast Guard in 2004. In that year, there were 84 fatalities, 13 missing persons, and 573 injuries aboard U.S. flagged commercial vessels. Most of the fatalities were associated with fishing vessels, passenger vessels and towing vessels. Most of these fatalities were the result of drowning. Almost 40% of injuries resulted from falls on board. Commercial vessel owners and operators could prevent many of these casualties by focusing on drowning prevention procedures, precautions that limit the risk of falling overboard, reducing the effect of exposure to the elements once overboard, and safety efforts to prevents slips and falls.