The requirement for the publication of detailed global marine casualties statistics

Today, ships' seaworthiness, naigation and safety and the protection of the marine environment rank very highly among shipping political issues. Yet, the available published statistical data concerning marine casualties relate ony to 'total losses'. Obviously, total losses are just the tip of a gigantic iceberg of marine incidents and a far more complete analysis of th causes, circumstances and consequences of all the major casualties recorded world-wide appears to be a prerequisite to the study of measures intended to improe the safety and cleanliness of shipping operations. Published statistics and existing databases in the field of marine casualties are examined and a number of remarks concerning the methodology underlying the current available statistical sources are presented. Some improvements are proposed and suggestions for combining the efforts of the various interested parties, probably under the aegis of IMO, in order to prepare and publish yearly statistical tables providing a comprehensive global analysis of major marine casualties are made.