Abstract:

In this study, it is aimed to perform the spatial analysis of the ship accidents in the Aegean region in Turkish territorial waters using geographic information systems and to determine the risk levels of the region according to the ship accident frequency. In this context, data from 106 vessels between 2005-2017 (July) were provided by the Turkish Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (TMSRCC) database. The spatial analysis of ship accidents was carried out with Mapinfo 8.0 software based on Geographic Information Systems and the risk levels of the region were determined according to the accident frequencies. In this study, Bulk carriers (28; 26%) and private yachts (25;23%) most frequently experienced ship accidents, (64; 60%) of vessel flag caused the accident were Turkish flagged and most frequent causes of ship accident in the region were grounding (27; 23%). It is concluded that Izmir inner port area and Yenikale have been identified as very high risk (VHR) zones depending on the number of ship accidents. As a result of the study, suggestions have been made to reduce the risks of the ship accidents, to improve the legislation and standards for the safety and security of life, property and marine environment, and to reduce the adverse effects of the accidents.

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