Illness Drives Over 80% of Seafarer Deaths, Britannia Report Finds

Illness accounts for more than four-fifths of all seafarer fatalities, vastly outstripping accidents across commercial shipping fleets, according to a recent analysis published by marine insurer Britannia P&I.

The findings, detailed in the club's latest Crew Claims Report, examine data compiled from nearly 3,000 claims handled across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 policy years. The figures indicate that 81% of recorded deaths resulted from illness, whereas accidents accounted for the remaining 19%.

Among the recorded medical conditions, cardiovascular disease was identified as the single largest cause of mortality among seafarers on board. The dominance of heart-related incidents highlights recurring challenges regarding health monitoring and emergency response during deep-sea transits.

The high proportion of illness-related casualties underscores the ongoing focus required by shipowners and managers on crew welfare, preventive medical screening, and onboard healthcare provision.