Kategorie: News
Independent analyses should prevent accidents - liveaboard vessels are a particular cause for concern
The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU; german: Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung) is the central authority for investigating marine casualties in German territorial waters and on German-flagged ships worldwide. It also takes action when German nationals are injured at sea - regardless of the flag under which the ship concerned is sailing.
The aim of the BSU is to analyse accidents and derive measures to prevent future disasters. In doing so, it pursues the ‘no blame approach’, which means that it does not look for anyone to blame, but instead comprehensively investigates the causes of an accident.
The BSU acts independently and neutrally. It looks at the technical, human and organisational factors that led to an incident and develops safety recommendations at the centre of these analyses. These are aimed at initiating structural improvements in shipping and avoiding dangerous situations in the future.
As part of an international network, the BSU works closely with other investigation centres. Particularly in the case of cross-border accidents, this co-operation is crucial for improving safety standards worldwide. Even though the BSU has no direct enforcement power, its recommendations are closely monitored and often translated into new safety regulations.
In our interview, the Director of the BSU - Ulf Kaspera - talks about the special circumstances surrounding accidents involving liveaboard vessels worldwide.
Taucher.Net: How does the BSU assess the current safety situation for liveaboard vessels worldwide, especially in countries such as Egypt and Indonesia, which repeatedly attract attention due to accidents?
BSU: The BSU has too little data to be able to make an official assessment here. As these are generally vessels on domestic voyages and therefore outside the BSU's jurisdiction, the BSU assumes that many of these accidents - including those with fatal outcomes for German travellers - are not reliably reported to it, as there are no reporting obligations in this respect. However, the recent serious accidents during diving safaris in Egyptian waters are viewed with concern.
Taucher.Net: Under what conditions is the BSU involved in an accident investigation abroad when German citizens are involved?
BSU: The BSU is involved in marine casualties that are subject to international marine casualty investigation regulations. This is always the case when international voyages are involved, i.e. harbours outside one's own flag state are called at. This is precisely the problem with liveaboards: these are primarily purely national voyages in the provider country and are not subject to the international safety regime, which prevents participation.
Taucher.Net: What does the BSU do if no or only inadequate investigations are carried out in the event of an accident involving German victims abroad? Are there mechanisms to exert pressure on the responsible authorities?
BSU: If an accident resulting in death is subject to the international safety regime, the flag state is obliged to carry out an investigation in accordance with international regulations. If German citizens are affected, the BSU has the right to participate in this investigation as a so-called state with a vested interest and to work towards its proper implementation.
Even in the case of accidents for which the BSU has no jurisdiction, the BSU will use all means at its disposal to ensure that a full investigation takes place and will offer its support. The BSU can also involve the German embassy in the country concerned, for example, in order to establish contacts and advance the matter. Naturally, the BSU is not entitled to exert any pressure in this regard, as this is beyond its competence.
Taucher.Net: What safety standards does the BSU consider necessary in order to reduce the frequent accidents involving liveaboard vessels in the long term? Are there any recommendations for tour operators and divers?
BSU: In the view of the BSU, an international safety standard with certification and regular inspections would be desirable so that travellers can obtain reliable information. Such standards would be best developed by the responsible authorities in close coordination with the relevant specialist groups. In the meantime, we can only appeal to travellers themselves to inform themselves thoroughly before making a booking.
Taucher.Net: In the view of the BSU, are there deficits in international co-operation in the investigation of marine casualties and how could these be improved in order to increase the safety of tourists at sea?
BSU: As a rule, there are no deficits in international co-operation in investigations falling under international regulations. Difficulties tend to arise when international co-operation is not provided for and the BSU has no rights of participation. In such cases, an attempt must be made to reach a consensus in each individual case. In the view of the BSU, a general improvement could only be achieved by extending the international safety regime or generally binding agreements at IMO level.