Analysis of Maritime Casualties around Japan Related to Weather and Sea States

Abstract

Many maritime casualties occur in sea areas around Japan every year, and loss of the human life and economy and the damage to the natural environment are so huge. The causes of casualties are various. But, in this report their relating weather and sea states were focused on and the consturction of the data base for 20 years from 1980 to 1999 was reported. The data base was consturcted based on the judgment records of Japan Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency published from 1980 to 2002. The total number of consturcted datasets is 1450. The data base consists of the date and time, place, information of ships, maritime traffic conditions, weather and sea states, causes, and so on. 44% of casualty was collisions under restricted visible conditions. 43% occurred in late spring and early summer, and also 29% occurred in the early morning between 4 and 7 AM. 43% of casualty was occurred by cargo vessels and 24% was by fishing boats.