What Causes Maritime Accidents?
The offshore industry is home to some of the most dangerous work environments on the planet. From saturation divers responsible for maintaining equipment hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface to deckhands operating heavy winches, maritime workers face the harsh reality that they could be seriously injured or killed if applicable safety standards and regulations are not followed to the letter.
In the unforgiving world of maritime commerce and offshore oil and gas operations, a single oversight can have disastrous results. And yet, offshore employers continually prioritize production over safety, leading to lives lost and environments forever changed by catastrophic spills.
Take the Deepwater Horizon explosion, which claimed 11 workers’ lives and resulted in 134 million gallons of oil spilling into the ocean, or the loss of the cargo vessel El Faro in Hurricane Joaquin, which claimed all 33 crew members’ lives. In both incidents, like countless others, it was misconduct on the part of large companies that led to disaster.
Both BP, the operator of Deepwater Horizon, and TOTE Maritime, the owner of El Faro, were found to have neglected crucial safety measures and protocols that could have prevented these tragedies. Investigations revealed that BP ignored critical warning signs and rushed the completion of the well to save time and money, while TOTE Maritime decided to proceed with El Faro’s voyage despite severe weather warnings.
The sad truth is that maritime employers are not doing all they can to prevent accidents.
Key Factors Leading to Offshore Accidents
Offshore work comes with inherent dangers, but these risks do not excuse accidents. With advancements in weather prediction, pressure monitoring equipment, navigational systems, and more safety gear, plus the introduction of advanced equipment like ROVs, many risks are mitigated. Accidents are largely preventable.
When accidents do occur, they can often be traced back to several key factors:
Understaffing & Fatigue
One of the critical factors leading to offshore accidents is the significant shift in staffing and demographic changes within the oil and gas extraction industry. The downturn in crude oil prices in 2014 led to widespread layoffs and reduced staffing levels, a situation further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For a decade, the industry has struggled with a diminished workforce. This ongoing shortage of skilled workers continues to compromise safety standards on offshore platforms.
A notable consequence of low staffing levels is the aging workforce, as the youngest and most inexperienced workers were often the first to be laid off or furloughed. Currently, the demographic makeup of the offshore workforce is skewed older, with a significant portion of workers over 50 years old. For instance, a census of the UK oil and gas industry revealed that only 12% of the workforce is under 30, while 45% are over 50. In the US, the oil and gas extraction industry saw a 46% reduction in employment from 2014 to 2023, with a staggering 56% decrease in workers aged 20-34.
While older workers are fully capable of performing their duties, the overall reduction in staff means that existing workers are often overburdened, leading to exhaustion and an increased likelihood of mistakes. This fatigue, coupled with insufficient post-pandemic recruitment efforts, contributes to a higher frequency of accidents as the industry struggles to keep pace with safety demands.
Equipment Failures
Malfunctioning or poorly maintained equipment can cause serious injuries on offshore platforms and all types of maritime vessels, from ferries to cargo ships. Any piece of equipment, from a tiny valve to a 30,000-pound blowout preventer, can be critical to preventing an offshore disaster. Companies must properly inspect and maintain equipment, and replace aging equipment, for the protection of their crews and the environment.
Inadequate equipment not only puts the lives of workers at risk but also threatens the stability of the entire operation. Ensuring that all machinery is up-to-date and functioning correctly is a fundamental responsibility of maritime employers. Regular training on equipment use and maintenance should be mandated to minimize the risk of equipment failures.
The Need for Unified Industry Standards
Another cause of offshore accidents is the lack of unified standards within the industry. Without a unified standard regarding how certain equipment ought to be handled, individual employers and crews may utilize different methods. This lack of communication can lead to accidents. Equipment manufacturers, federal regulators, and other maritime industry leaders may be the ones who are unable to come to a consensus in these areas, but it is maritime workers who are going to suffer the consequences on the job—possibly even with their lives.
Environmental Factors
Harsh weather conditions, rough seas, and other environmental challenges can create dangerous working conditions that increase the risk of accidents. Maritime employers have a duty to monitor the weather and heed weather warnings, evacuating vessels and platforms as needed to avoid disasters that claim lives and cause catastrophic spills.
Additionally, companies should invest in advanced weather monitoring systems and train their crews to respond swiftly and effectively to environmental threats. Proper emergency protocols and evacuation plans should be established and practiced regularly to ensure readiness in the face of natural hazards. Mother Nature cannot be blamed for maritime accidents—not when companies have the means to prepare for severe storms.
Inadequate Safety Protocols
Sometimes, safety protocols are either insufficient or not properly enforced, leading to unsafe working environments. Employers must develop comprehensive safety procedures that cover all aspects of maritime operations, from equipment handling to emergency response. Regular safety drills and audits are essential to ensure that these protocols are followed rigorously.
Moreover, creating a culture of safety where employees feel empowered to report potential hazards without fear of retribution can significantly reduce the occurrence of accidents. Continuous improvement and adaptation of safety measures in response to new challenges and technologies are crucial for maintaining a safe working environment.
Holding the Maritime Industry to a Higher Standard
Maritime accidents have various causes. They can be traced to inadequate training, lax safety standards, aging or defective equipment, or failures to heed weather warnings, but all have one thing in common: companies that are more interested in profits than anything else. At Arnold & Itkin, we fight to hold maritime operators accountable, standing up for crews and families who have suffered the consequences of their misconduct. We believe in holding the maritime industry to a higher standard. No matter what.
