Gard Report Sheds Light on Seafarer Health and Safety Trends

Marine insurer Gard has published a new report analyzing five years of data from over 20,000 cases, shedding light on critical trends in seafarer injuries and illnesses.

The Gard Crew Claims Report 2024 aims to highlight key trends and underscore the importance of seafarers’ health and safety.

“We are publishing this report because, for Gard as a marine insurer, the safety of seafarers is a top priority. They are the backbone of shipping that makes global trade possible. Every year, we handle numerous incidents and claims related to crew. We hope that sharing key figures and insights will ultimately contribute to enhanced crew safety and well-being,” said Christen Guddal, Chief Claims Officer at Gard.

Guddal emphasized that the report is also crucial for shipowners and managers, as crew safety directly impacts operational safety: “The health and safety of seafarers and their working environment will impact situational awareness and the decisions they take. This, in turn, affects the risk and likelihood of maritime accidents,” he added.

The report reveals that 64% of crew claims over the past five years were related to illness, with the average cost of these claims rising since 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus was the most frequent illness, but it has since been replaced by conditions such as abdominal pain, back pain, and heart-related issues.

The report also looks at mental health disorders, with Gard recording an annual average of 47 cases, 18 suicides, and 16 missing persons since 2020. The number of mental health-related cases grew significantly during the pandemic, likely due to the mental strain and prolonged isolation many seafarers experienced.

Research indicates a strong link between physical and mental health among seafarers. Key risks include poor physical health, noise, feeling unsafe, high job demands, long hours, irregular shifts, and extended periods at sea. Recommendations include promoting a healthy lifestyle, ensuring proper rest, improving the physical environment, and increasing mental health awareness and training.

Injuries made up 32% of crew claims over the past five years, the report shows, with higher average claim amounts than illness claims due to urgent treatment needs. Common accidents include crush injuries, burns, heavy lifting incidents, and falls. Injury claims rose by 44% in 2023 compared to 2020, with finger injuries being the most frequent. The trend highlights the need for greater attention from vessel operators and seafarers, and Gard has issued guidance to help prevent such injuries.

Gard’s claims data reveals that the most frequent causes of injuries are slips, trips, falls, and being hit by objects, particularly during mooring operations. Over the past five years, Gard has recorded over 400 crew fatalities, with a death claim frequency of 0.01 per vessel year. Illness accounts for 74% of these fatalities, aligning with WHO statistics on global deaths. Notably, 11% of crew fatalities are due to suicide, a figure believed to be underreported, indicating many preventable deaths.

“As an industry, we are unfortunately far from where we would like to be when it comes to crew fatalities and injuries. Respecting human rights at sea also relates to making sure seafarers’ place of work is safe, healthy, and attractive. At Gard, we believe that more can be done to prevent some of these accidents, and with this report, we hope to contribute to increased transparency and constructive discussions across the industry,” said Lene-Camilla Nordlie, Vice President and Head of People Claims at Gard.

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