Home >

Contributing Factors in Incidents

Contributing factors relate to the behaviour or circumstances that best describe the major reason(s) for a marine incident occurring. Each incident can involve one or more contributing factors, reflecting the fact that many incidents involve a chain of events with associated contributing factors. By analysing aggregated data on contributing factors in all incidents, behaviour or circumstances can be addressed to reduce overall incidents.

Contributing factors fall under three broad groupings – human, environmental and material. Within each of these, there are more specific categories which provide further detail, for example, error of judgement which is a specific human factor.

In the calendar years 2005 and 2006, there were 3077 reported incidents involving 4238 contributing factors. This signifies that the majority of incidents only had one reported contributing factor. The most commonly reported contributing factor was an error of judgement, making up 15% of all contributing factors. This was followed by the wind/sea state and inexperience, making up 15% and 6% respectively of all contributing factors. A full list of contributing factors in 2005 and 2006 is provided in the table below:

Contributing Factor	2005	2006	2005-2006 Total	% of Group Total	% of all Contributing Factors
Environmental Factors
Wind/sea state	302	316	618	46.8	14.6
Other environmental factor	110	132	242	18.3	5.7
Floating or submerged object	73	64	137	10.4	3.2
Tidal conditions	56	31	87	6.6	2.1
Bar conditions	36	50	86	6.5	2.0
Restricted visibility	28	49	77	5.8	1.8
Wash	45	28	73	5.5	1.7
Total Environmental	650	670	1320	100.0	31.1
Human Factors
Error of Judgment	343	293	636	29.4	15.0
Other human factor	223	236	459	21.2	10.8
Inexperience	114	135	249	11.5	5.9
Navigational error	122	118	240	11.1	5.7
Failure to keep a proper lookout	114	125	239	11.0	5.6
Excessive speed	56	50	106	4.9	2.5
Insecure mooring	39	54	93	4.3	2.2
Lack of maintenance	24	32	56	2.6	1.3
Alcohol or Drugs	21	25	46	2.1	1.1
Lack of fuel	8	8	16	0.7	0.4
Fatigue	6	7	13	0.6	0.3
Total Human	1078	1088	2166	100.0	51.1
Material Factors
Other material factor	146	128	274	36.4	6.5
Equipment – Machinery	105	131	236	31.4	5.6
Equipment - Hull failure	51	75	126	16.8	3.0
Inadequate stability	19	25	44	5.9	1.0
Equipment – electrical	14	24	38	5.1	0.9
Equipment – Navigation	18	16	34	4.5	0.8
Total Material	353	399	752	100.0	17.7
Total - All Contributing Factors	2081	2157	4238		100

The table shows that human factors are dominant in incidents, representing 51% of all contributing factors. This is followed by environmental factors and material factors, representing 31% and 18% respectively of all contributing factors. Addressing human factors in incidents should lead to a reduction in overall incidents.

The wind/sea state is the second most commonly reported contributing factor and represents almost half of all environmental factors. This points to the prevalence of adverse weather conditions in contributing to incidents occurring.

Despite “other” contributing factors together making up 23% of all contributing factors, these factors do not provide specific enough information to make informed decisions. The NMSC is working with all States and the Northern Territory to limit the recording of factors into “other” fields and this will be reflected in future updates.

Contributing Factors in Incidents

Latest news

Make a Switch to 406