Information on Maritime Illness and Injury Statistics

Gao ID: RCED-84-73 November 21, 1983

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on Marine Index Bureau health statistics for maritime seafarers.

GAO found that the Bureau data could not be verified because of their proprietary nature, but that the ways in which the statistics are arranged should be considered when Bureau statistical reports are reviewed. The Bureau does not keep statistics on seafarers with a high frequency of health incidents, but a Maritime Administration study concluded that repeaters accounted for only 2 percent of health incidents. Health statistics from other maritime nations were unavailable. Four maritime shipping companies reported that they have procedures to report and verify seafarers' health-related claims. GAO found that maritime subsidies cover 50 percent of personal liability insurance premiums paid by shipping companies and 80 percent of related shipping company deductibles.



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