What are the odds of dying at sea on a trans oceanic freighter?

Question

I know the odds of dying in a motor accident is 1 in 200 and dying in a commercial airliner crash is 1 in 13million(ish), etc etc,

But what are the odds of dying at sea, on a freighter?

Answer 1

Your question is impossible to answer without more information.   Is it a Greek flag ship  that is 30+ years old with an incompetent foreign crew crossing the north Atlantic in the winter, or a new, American flag ship crossing an actual sea like from England to Denmark?    I've been sailing for 15 years and never came close to an accident even with 60 foot waves and 110 kt. winds.   One Greek captain I worked with did have two ships sink under his command though.    I'd guess its much safer than walking across the street, but not as safe as sitting in a lawnchair.

Answer 2

Most modern freighters have to abide by the SOLAS international regulations (brought in after the Titanic Incident).

There crews are fully trained up for every eventuality arising at sea. Apart from sinking , the worst event on board is fire , which could be hard to contain in narrow(ish) gangways and enginerooms. The chances of death on freighters are very low.

Answer 3

your not right in the head,get a life .who cares ,the answer is.......don,t go to sea..this site is full of nutters

Answer 4

Odds are 1 in 6500000. Assuming you are healthy.

Answer 5

From the standpoint of Accidental Death, I'm sure the crew will be charged with your safety to a higher degree of any other mode of transport you choose.  This is a must due to the insurance liability of having you on board.

From the standpoint of Natural Death, it would probably be no higher than when you are in your own home.  There is one significant difference though.  Ships are normally limited to a specific number of passenger, I think it's eight, because its the most regulations allow without having a doctor aboard.   So if you do experience a health trauma you may not have access to a Doctor.  Your medical attention will be limited to the knowledge of the designated medical representative on board.

I hope that clarifies the question in the manner you expected.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

I work at sea, have done for many years. The word "trans Oceanic" is a strange one. You would be more likely to be swept overboard in the Southern Ocean or North Atlantic than in the Med for instance. Lets assume you are in the North Atlantic. You are passenger, not crew (as this would increase your chances of dying/going overboard) and the ship is a decent registred flag (not operating undera flag of convinience) I would say, giving modern shippings safety record, and the anti collision software onboard and the amount of people who actually travel by freighter nowadays etc about 1 in 265 million.

If you were crew I would say about 1 in 28 million. Ships lose more crew than they would like to admit.

Hope this helps

***Comment for Thor, just because a crew member is foreign (whatever that means, as I could be foreign to you) does not make then incompetent, remember that Indian/Goan and Philipine people were great sailors since the dawn of time, as were the Greeks. A man/womans nationality does not guarantee that he or she will make a good sailor****

Answer 7

Shipping accidents are so few, and take a long time to sink.  this along with all the modern safety equipment on board it is almost impossible to quote odds in this day and age.