More than four in five crew deaths reported to Britannia P&I Club were caused by illness rather than accidents, according to a new analysis of nearly 3,000 crew-related claims, prompting renewed calls
More than four in five crew deaths reported to Britannia P&I Club were caused by illness rather than accidents, according to a new analysis of nearly 3,000 crew-related claims, prompting renewed calls for greater focus on preventative health, cardiovascular wellbeing and mental health support across the maritime industry.
The Club's new Crew Claims Report, developed in collaboration with maritime medical specialist Dr Katherine Sinclaire of MedSea, found that 81% of all crew fatalities were illness-related, while only 19% resulted from injury. Cardiovascular conditions alone accounted for 58% of illness-related deaths, making them the single biggest cause of crew fatalities identified in the analysis.
The report also identifies a concerning trend around mental wellbeing, with suicides and incidents of seafarers missing at sea disproportionately affecting younger seafarers. While the number of cases remains relatively small, Britannia notes that a similar pattern has been observed across a broader four-year dataset, reinforcing the need for targeted support and intervention.
Drawing on claims reported during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 policy years, the report provides comprehensive assessments of crew health, safety and wellbeing risks available through P&I claims data. Overall, illnesses accounted for 60% of all crew claims, compared with 36% for injuries and 4%
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