Ferry disasters are not surprising at all. But vehicle/vehicle-passenger carrying ferry accidents take place in different countries many times and result in the loss of lives and vehicles and economic disruption, leading to concerns. Some notable ferry accidents in the world include the sinking of the ferry MV Sewol in South Korea in 2014 that resulted in over 300 deaths, the sinking of the Al-Salam Boccaccio 98 ferry in the Red Sea in 2006 that claimed the lives of over 1000 passengers and crew members and the capsize of the Senegalese ferry MV Le Joola off the coast of Gambia in 2002 that led to 1800 deaths. Several vehicle/vehicle-passenger ferry incidents have also taken place in the 2020s in different countries.
It is notable that there are mechanical, human error based and other factors that lead to vehicle/vehicle-passenger carrying ferry disasters. Some common causes of ferry disasters in different countries include fire incidents, overloading of passengers and vehicles, poor maintenance of ferries, insufficient regulation and oversight by maritime authorities and adverse weather conditions. According to multiple sources, a lack of maintenance and safety measures, overload and other causes including storm — for example — led to the 2002 MV Le Joola disaster, one of the deadliest ferry accidents in history. Additionally, navigational errors, mechanical failures, human error and a lack of proper training for crew members contribute to the tragic vehicle/vehicle-passenger ferry incidents. But a lack of proper safety equipment and inadequate emergency response procedures lead to more casualties many times.
Governments have taken improved safety based and other steps to address ferry accidents that have led to fewer ferry disasters and reduced their casualties in different countries. Many countries have implemented stricter safety regulations, increased inspections and maintenance of ferries and provided training for ferry operators to ensure proper navigation and emergency response procedures. Additionally, many countries in Asia, Europe and other regions including, but not limited to, the United States, Japan, Norway, Denmark and Canada have invested in new technologies such as GPS tracking systems and improved communication devices to enhance safety measures on ferries. Among others, rescue and recovery efforts have been improved in many countries.
But there are diverse flaws in the steps taken to address vehicle/vehicle-passenger carrying ferry disasters in different countries. While there remains a lack of safety measures and inadequate training for ferry operators, there is corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, a lack of accountability for ferry companies and a culture of negligence that hinder effective implementation of safety measures, leading to continued risks for passengers and crew members in many countries. Among others, there are ineffective or delayed rescue efforts in different countries — leading to high casualties many times. In those countries where government steps are inadequate in addressing ferry disasters, there is definitely an increased risk of accidents and a higher number of casualties.
It is desired that steps be strengthened to address the concerns and reduce the chance of ferry accidents in different countries. For this, several steps including implementing strict safety regulations and protocols, increasing training for crew members and conducting regular maintenance checks on ferries are definitely crucial and mandatory steps. Many countries in Asia, Europe and other regions have seen a significant decrease in ferry accidents and casualties due to their proactive approach to and the improvement of safety measures in the maritime industry. But investing in advanced technology such as GPS tracking systems can also help prevent accidents and improve overall safety measures in many countries.
Additionally, and importantly, the emphasis needs to be given to improving communication systems and establishing clear communication protocols between ferries and onshore authorities, which can facilitate quick response to help minimize casualties in the event of a ferry disaster. But rescue and recovery efforts need to be strengthened with resources in different countries. Among others, international collaborations may be helpful many times to improve safety measures and the capacity to reduce casualties from ferry disasters in many countries.
