An Analysis of Passenger Vessel Accidents in Bangladesh

The maritime transport system is vital for the economy of Bangladesh. Marine accidents adversely affect the human, the marine environment and properties and activities abroad ships and ashore in various forms and degree of extent. The effects of accidents vary from minor injuries to fatalities and form insignificant damage to very severe damage to the environment and property. During the period 1983 to 2015, thousands of marine accidents have been reported in Bangladesh. The main purpose of every accident study is to provide decision makers with valid and reliable information in order to make informed and hopefully better decisions. In this paper, accident data for passenger vessel collected from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) are presented and an analysis is carried out to determine the common causes of accidents on passenger vessels. From this paper, it has been observed that the common causes of accidents are collisions and contacts, fire and explosions, overloading, rough weather etc. Finally, based on this study a number of recommendations have been proposed in order to ensure greater safety of passengers.