Problem: Commercial fishing is one of the least safe occupations. This stud
y investigates determinants of vessel total losses and number of fatal and
non-fatal crew injuries resulting from commercial fishing vessel accidents.
Method: An injury and vessel damage accident model is developed. Total ves
sel loss and crew injury models are estimated using probit and negative bin
omial regressions, respectively, and a unique micro data set of commercial
fishing vessel accidents. Results: Estimation results indicate that the pro
bability of a total loss is the greatest for a capsizing, followed by a sin
king accident. Fire/explosions and capsizings are expected to incur the gre
atest number of crew fatalities - 3.5 and 3.8 for every 100 such accidents.
For every 100 collisions, 2.1 nonfatal crew injuries are expected. The pro
bability of a total loss and the expected number of crew fatalities vary in
versely with the price of fish catches. Discussion: We discuss relevant iss
ues related to fishing vessel safety management and regulation. Important v
essel safety measures are summarized. Summary: Policy implications: (a) pol
icies that reduce capsizings and sinkings will be effective in reducing fis
hing vessel accident total losses; (b) policies that reduce fire/explosions
and capsizings (collisions) will be effective in reducing fatal (non-fatal
) injuries. Impact on Industry: Policymakers should find the results of thi
s study useful in developing regulation and enforcement mechanisms for redu
cing fishing vessel injuries and total losses. (C) 2001 National Safety Cou
ncil and Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.