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Research and Data
Research and data have been important areas for the NMSC since it was formed in 1997. The NMSC aims to improve the level of both quantitative and qualitative information available to aid in the NMSC’s standard writing, policy and legislative activities. Examples where this has been done are in the development of common standards for the collection and coding of marine incidents at a state or territory level, as well as in the undertaking of national research into fatalities and serious injuries
The NMSC has developed in-depth research reports on boating, fatalities and serious injuries to guide in policy development. These include:
The National Assessment of Boating Fatalities in Australia 1992 – 1998
Serious Injury due to Water Transport Accidents Australia 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2003
Assessment of Fatal and Non Fatal Injury Due to Boating in Australia February 2002
National Principles to Guide in Assessing Risks to Determine Policy on the Compulsory Wearing of Personal Flotation Devices (incorporating tabulated data on the circumstances surrounding boating fatalities)
The strategic plan 2003-2008 outlines the directions that research and data is taking over the next few years. These directions are outlined in strategic priority 4, which highlights the following strategic actions:
1 Gain an accurate picture of the scope, nature, magnitude, distribution and value of the marine industry in Australia.
2 Seek opportunities to advise the public and industry of safety reforms in the marine industry.
3 Undertake and promulgate research into marine safety including collating marine incident data.
4 Publicise outcomes of safety programs.
5 Develop mechanisms for more effective stakeholder involvement.
The NMSC relies on a number of data sources to complement its research activities, including:
- Boating Incident data (collected by each State and the Northern Territory on behalf of the NMSC)
- Vessel Exemptions data (collected by each State and the Northern Territory on behalf of the NMSC)
- National Coroners fatality data
- Hospital Emergency department data
- Vessel registration and licence data (collected by each State and the Northern Territory)
An overview of NMSC’s incident database and the various reports/analysis that have been produced can be found here.
