A recent survey involving over 900 seafarers has revealed a significant gap between safety procedures and the actual conditions on ships. This has led to renewed demands for better measures to prevent deaths in enclosed spaces.
The ship management association, InterManager, has reported 354 incidents related to enclosed spaces from 1996 to 2026. These incidents involved various types of vessels, including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, passenger ships, and others.
Despite many years of safety campaigns, training, and regulations, the organization claims that many of the same issues continue to endanger seafarers.
The recent survey indicated that crew members often face complex procedures, lack of time and manpower, commercial pressures, and inadequate hands-on training. Respondents also expressed concerns that inspections sometimes focus more on paperwork than on whether safety measures are effective on board.
“Enclosed spaces have been claiming the lives of seafarers for decades,” said Captain Kuba Szymanski, the secretary general of InterManager. “The industry doesn't need more paperwork just for the sake of it; it needs practical solutions that work on ships.”
“If a procedure can’t realistically be completed with the available time, personnel, and equipment, we need to question the system rather than blaming the seafarer,” he added.
InterManager emphasizes the importance of regular practical training instead of relying solely on exercises done early in a seafarer's career. They believe crews should also have more input in creating the procedures and systems they must follow.
The association advocates for more frequent drills, refresher training, reliable gas detection tools, and effective rescue plans. It also suggests using wearable gas monitors, digital entry permits, hands-free communication devices, and remote inspection tools to lower risks.
Ship design is another area of concern. InterManager believes that better equipment placement, improved coatings, and more durable piping could help in reducing the need for crews to enter hazardous spaces.
These findings come as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is working to enhance safety standards for seafarers. In June 2025, the IMO adopted updated recommendations for entering enclosed spaces, focusing on hazard identification, risk assessments, and safe entry practices. The organization is also reviewing the STCW Convention, which includes discussions on enclosed space training.
InterManager has also criticized the inadequate reporting of accidents and the limited sharing of information within the industry. The association warns that delays or incomplete investigations hinder operators from learning from past incidents and preventing future accidents.
“We already recognize many of the factors that lead to these accidents. What we lack is consistent action,” Szymanski stated. “The priority now should be simpler procedures, better training, stronger leadership, better ship design, and much more shared accident data.”
InterManager plans to discuss the survey results in a webinar with The Nautical Institute on October 27. This event will gather maritime safety and human factors experts to discuss necessary changes both on board and ashore.
“Deaths in enclosed spaces are not unavoidable,” Szymanski concluded. “The industry has the knowledge to prevent them; so why isn't it taking action?”