In 2022, 34 people died in accidents with recreational vessels. This is eight more than the previous year, according to figures from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. 18 of those killed in these boating accidents died after falling into the sea from land. In these fatal accidents, the boat is not directly involved in the accident, which usually happens when a person moves between land and boat. The Norwegian Maritime Directorate refers to such accidents as “fall-over-sea accidents”. – We saw a marked increase in such accidents last year compared to previous years, says Siv Haugvaldstad Bygnes, communications advisor for recreational vessels in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Speech for this year is not a more pleasant read. From a boat accident in Asker in June. Four out of six people who fell into the sea were injured. Photo: The rescue company Worsening in the first half of the year Eleven people have died in pleasure boating accidents in 2023. Drowning accidents after falling from land account for seven of these. The proportion of such deaths therefore continues to increase. This is revealed in a message from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Many of the dead are men over the age of 60. – It is worrying that more than half have died by falling into the sea between the boat and the jetty where the boat was moored. We encourage everyone to check that security is maintained in port facilities and at wharves, says Maritime Director Knut Arild Hareide. Maritime director Knut Arild Hareide says the figures are alarming. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen Grown men top the statistics Ten of the 11 who have lost their lives so far this year were men. This is a recurring trend year after year. Since the Norwegian Maritime Directorate began recording accidents in 2001, 633 men have lost their lives, while only 43 women have lost their lives in the same period. The average age among those who died in the first half of this year was approximately 54 years. – There is a clear preponderance of men who use recreational vessels, which may be related to the high number of men who have died. Everyone must think about safety at sea, says Hareide. Men over 60 most at risk Five years ago, this type of fatal accident was a handful. 10 out of 18 fatalities last year died when the boat was moored to the quay. – Why is there an increase in exactly this type of fatal accident? – It is difficult to know, but we see that there are more people out at sea now than before the pandemic. It could also be that people are not aware that they have to think about safety when they are at the quay and harbour, says Haugvaldstad Bygnes. Giving old attitudes the blame Knut Arild Larsen (62) from Tromsø is out on a boat almost every day through his job. He believes that the reason why well-grown men are over-represented can lie in the past. Larsen himself lost his father at sea. He only lived 40 years. Knut Arild Larsen works for the company Arctic Cruise in Norway in Tromsø. Almost every day, he is out on a boat, and there he is well suited to safety. Photo: Erik Waagbø / news A lot has happened since then with safety at sea. Today has a radar system and AIS system. – The generation that is growing up is much more intact on new things, while I, who am old and come from the old generation, have incorporated old attitudes. Life jackets were not an issue, he says. He encourages people who travel on the sea to keep their boats as up to date as possible in relation to safety regulations. Make a plan for what could go wrong Through a campaign, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, the Coastal Administration and the Rescue Society are trying to get people to take more responsibility for their own safety and that of others. Of the 34 who died last year, only 11 were wearing flotation devices. More than half were under the influence of drugs. Haugvaldstad Bygnes in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate encourages people to notify when they are going home to the boat after parties, or to go together with a friend. A number of accidents can happen in this way, he says. – Maybe someone has to pee over the edge, maybe they are alone, and the life jacket is not on. – Use a life jacket When things go wrong, Tromsø fire and rescue are among those who respond. Brigade leader and fireman Håvard Malmedal has clear advice for people traveling on the sea: – Wear a life jacket and be prepared for situations that may arise, he says. Tromsø’s fire and rescue crews practice what they will do when the accident at sea is out. Photo: Erik Waagbø / news That something can go wrong is something most people seem to forget, says the fireman and asks people to think about what can go wrong: – Can you trip and this in the water without getting ashore? Have you checked the bottom conditions before diving, and are you wearing a life jacket? – Several people could have survived Despite the fact that the Norwegian Maritime Directorate encourages everyone who travels at sea to use flotation devices, they see that most of those who perish do so. During the first half of the year, only one person used flotation equipment when that person lost their life. A total of eight people were not using flotation devices when they lost their lives. – Several could probably have survived if they had used vests, says Hareide. Over 4,000 missions for the rescue company Last year, the Rescue Company’s 53 rescue boats had over 4,400 missions from May to September. Simen Seljeseth and the crew on board the lifeboat Bergen Kreds welcome the campaign to reduce the death toll. – It is very good if there is more focus on this. It can make people more aware, says Seljeseth. The rescue boat Bergen Kreds goes out on many missions every year. Simen Seljeseth and the crew on board encourage people to make a good plan before they go on a trip, keep an eye on the weather and know how the boat works. Photo: Ole Andreas Bø / news Everything from ground supports, ropes in the propeller and boats with damage can be done. Alcohol is still used in some of the incidents, but according to Seljeseth, most of them stay sober. He thinks people are mostly good at using life jackets. Young people in particular take the lead here. – People are getting smarter and smarter, he believes.
ttn-69
Marked increase in drowning accidents from land – news Vestland
