Illness Drives Over 80% of Seafarer Deaths, Britannia Report Finds
Data from nearly 3,000 claims across recent policy years reveals medical conditions far outpace accidents as the leading cause of maritime fatalities.
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.
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