Britannia P&I Club report finds illness causes most crew deaths

A new Crew Claims Report from the Britannia P&I Club reveals that illnesses, rather than accidents, are the primary cause of death among maritime crew members. Based on an analysis of nearly 3,000 claims from the 2023/24 and 2024/25 policy years, the report found that 81% of crew fatalities were linked to illness, while only 19% were caused by injuries.

Cardiovascular conditions emerged as the leading cause of death, accounting for 58% of all illness-related fatalities. Regarding general claims, illnesses represented 60% of the total, followed by injuries at 36% and fatalities at 4%. Among injury-related claims, hand and finger injuries were the most frequent, making up 27% of cases.

The report, developed in collaboration with MedSea medical specialist Dr. Katherine Sinclaire, also highlights mental health concerns. Data indicates that suicides and incidents of seafarers going missing at sea disproportionately affect younger crew members. These findings suggest a need for the maritime industry to shift focus toward preventative health, cardiovascular wellbeing, and targeted mental health support for younger seafarers.