Statistical analysis and critical review of navigational accidents in adverse weather conditions

The latest IMO regulatory requirements concerning the control of toxic gas emissions from ships have sparked interest in whether ships are adequately equipped to operate safely in adverse weather conditions when compliance is achieved simply by the reduction of power. This paper deals with the analysis of navigational accidents (collision, grounding, and contact accidents) that occurred in adverse weather conditions and may have been related to the lack of sufficient powering and manoeuvrability. The analysis aims to potentially assist the IMO regulatory work in setting rational margins of minimum powering of ships for safely operating in adverse weather conditions.