Definition of very serious marine casualty, marine casualty and marine incident

Definition of very serious marine casualty

A very serious marine casualty means a marine casualty involving the total loss of the ship or a death or severe damage to the environment.

Note: Severe damage to the environment means a discharge of 50MT or more of pollutant.

Definition of Marine Casualty

A marine casualty means an event, or a sequence of events, that has resulted in any of the following which has occurred directly in connection with the operations of a ship:

  • the death of, or serious injury to, a person;
  • the loss of a person from a ship;
  • the loss, presumed loss or abandonment of a ship;
  • material damage to a ship;
  • the stranding or disabling of a ship, or the involvement of a ship in a collision;
  • material damage to marine infrastructure external to a ship, that could seriously endanger the safety of the ship, another ship or an individual; or
  • severe damage to the environment, or the potential for severe damage to the environment, brought about by the damage of a ship or ships.

However, a marine casualty does not include a deliberate act or omission, with the intention to cause harm to the safety of a ship, an individual or the environment.

Definition of Serious Injury

A serious injury means an injury which is sustained by a person, resulting in incapacitation where the person is unable to function normally for more than 72 hours, commencing within seven days from the date when the injury was suffered.

Definition of Marine Incident

A marine incident means an event, or sequence of events, other than a marine casualty, which has occurred directly in connection with the operations of a ship that endangered, or, if not corrected, would endanger the safety of the ship, its occupants or any other person or the environment.