InterManager has called for urgent industry action on enclosed space safety after its latest research highlighted persistent failures in procedures, training, leadership and accident prevention. The organisation has recorded 354 enclosed space accidents over the past 30 years, between 1996 and 2026, across tankers, bulkers, general cargo ships, passenger vessels, containerships and other vessel types.
Its latest seafarer survey identifies a recurring gap between safety procedures and operational reality onboard. Over 900 respondents highlighted overly complex paperwork, inadequate time and manpower, commercial pressure, insufficient practical training and a reluctance to address underlying causes.
The organisation says its latest seafarer research points to two clear priorities. The need for continuous professional development, rather than one-off training, and for seafarers to be more directly engaged in the systems, ships and resources they are expected to operate safely.
Current enclosed space training is often concentrated around a single exercise when people commence their careers. InterManager says this must now be enhanced to deliver competence, rather than just training, particularly as enclosed space entry training is being considered as part of the current review of STW requirements, with the International Chamber of Shipping leading industry input.
InterManager will explore the survey findings and wider enclosed space safety concerns during a webinar, run in conjunction with The Nautical Institute, on 27 October 2026 at 10am GMT. The webinar will bring together industry experts, Captain Pradeep Chawla, CEO of Marie Pals, Captain Garry Hallett from InterManager and Richard Cowburn, human factors specialist, to discuss where the industry stands now on enclosed space safety, how seafarers and shore-based stakeholders feel about current practice, and what practical action is needed next.
The session will be moderated by David Patrirko FNI, Director of Projects at The Nautical Institute and aims to inform, educate and engage the industry by sharing the research findings, discussing operational realities and encouraging wider debate on how enclosed space deaths can be prevented.
Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager, comments:
“Enclosed spaces have been killing seafarers for decades. The industry does not need more paperwork for the sake of paperwork, it needs practical measures that work onboard. If a procedure cannot realistically be completed with the time, people and equipment available, then we need to question the system, not blame the seafarer.”
InterManager says training should place greater emphasis on how enclosed space entry should be carried out safely in real operational conditions, supported by regular drills, refresher training, effective gas detection and robust rescue arrangements. It is also calling for greater attention to ship design, including reducing the need for enclosed space entry through better equipment positioning, improved coatings and more durable pipework. It also criticises poor industry data sharing and inconsistencies in accident investigation, warning that lessons cannot be learned effectively if information is delayed, incomplete or withheld.
Captain Szymanski adds:
“We already know many of the factors behind these accidents. What is missing is consistent action. The priority now must be simpler procedures, better training, stronger leadership, improved ship design and far greater sharing of accident data. Enclosed space deaths are not inevitable. The industry has the knowledge to prevent them so why isn’t it doing it already?”
