Abstract
IMCO's 1979 casualty statistics, analysing serious casualties to ocean-going tankers (1968-1979), conclude, inter alia, that the number of incidence rate of serious casualties for 1979, was the highest since the system was initiated in 1968. This is alerting, but perhaps not surprising. Because, when comparing with the airline industry, the lack of a safety philosophy in shipping is notable, and there should be no reason why the demands on safety concerning air traffic should not be required for traffic at sea. (A)