Recent investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) show that 49 maritime incidents, including fires, collisions, and mechanical failures, share common recurring causes that highlight the need for improved safety in this area.
Analysis of Maritime Incidents
The NTSB review titled "Safer Seas 2025" includes completed investigations from the past year and examines cases such as major maritime incidents, towing accidents, fires, and mechanical failures. One notable case in this report is the collapse of the Dali Bridge and the fire on the Grande Costa D’Avorio fleet, which resulted in several fatalities.
The investigation into the Dali Bridge, which occurred in March 2024 in Baltimore due to a loss of electrical power while colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, led to the identification of nearly two dozen safety recommendations. These recommendations include improvements in assessing the risks of bridges located over navigable waterways.
Fires and Safety Issues
The fire on the Grande Costa D’Avorio in Newark, New Jersey, resulted in the deaths of two firefighters and injuries to six others. Investigations revealed that ground firefighters lacked adequate training and equipment to respond to a fire on the vessel, which contributed to the spread of the fire. This incident also led to 11 new safety recommendations.
Overall, the NTSB highlighted issues such as inadequate maintenance, poor trip planning, and lack of preparedness for emergencies in these 49 investigations. Additionally, problems like fatigue and distraction, as well as non-compliance with standards in the use of lithium-ion batteries, were also examined.
This review emphasizes that maritime incidents can stem from common operational problems such as drowsiness or improper maintenance of equipment. For example, in May 2024, the fishing vessel Papa Rod collided with the cargo ship Appaloosa due to crew drowsiness and the absence of an adequate warning system.
In general, these investigations indicate that major maritime incidents can begin with relatively ordinary failures and highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and improvement in maritime safety.
