Preliminary fatality statistics released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board show the number of marine and pipeline incidents increased in 2009, even though the number of transportation fatalities decreased overall.
Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased by 9.2 percent in 2009, according to an agency press release. Incidents in highway, rail and aviation declined, but pipeline fatalities increased to 14 from eight, with an increase in both gas pipelines and liquid pipeline operations. Marine deaths increased to 817 from 783 — with 737 of those having occurred in recreational boating.
In related news, NTSB on Wednesday announced it will host a forum Oct. 13-14 on safety issues in the commercial fishing industry. The forum is intended to identify safety issues in the commercial fishing industry and strategies for preventing incidents and reducing the industry’s high rate of injuries and fatalities.
