# Assessing Fatality Risks in Maritime Accidents: The Influence of Key Contributing Factors
## 7 Conclusions  
Maritime safety is critically important as about 90% of global goods are transported by sea, making the safety of maritime transport essential for the global economy and supply chains [47]. In the fast-paced and unpredictable world of shipping, where operations run 24/7, even small mistakes can have serious consequences, including loss of life, environmental harm, and interruptions to global trade. To ensure the on-board safety of as well as the protection of the environment, it is essential to understand and address the various factors that lead to accidents, especially those that result in fatalities. Our paper focuses critical attention towards alcohol as the findings reveal that alcohol consumption is a significant predictor of fatal outcomes in maritime accidents. Specifically, each additional unit of BAC drastically increases the probability of a fatality. The data suggest that even moderate levels of alcohol consumption can impair judgment and motor skills to a degree that significantly elevates the risk of fatal accidents. Firstly, the research included a data collection process--the data were compiled and curated from a range of maritime accident investigation reports. This involved the careful selection of cases where alcohol consumption was confirmed as a contributing factor. The database was constructed using reports from 13 different national and international maritime safety agencies, ensuring that the data represented various types of maritime accidents. Then, the data analysis and model development were conducted using several methods to create predictive models. This involved selecting the variables, selecting the potential methods for modelling, creating several predictive models, selecting the suitable model, performing statistical tests, and validating the model's accuracy. After these steps, the interpretation of findings was provided. The results were critically analysed, especially the interactions between alcohol consumption, weather conditions, and time of day. Moreover, a literature overview was conducted. This review was not limited to just academic sources; it also included industry reports and data from the World Health Organization and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, providing a well-rounded understanding of the topic. The analysis shows that adverse weather conditions notably increase the dangers posed by alcohol consumption. When combined with poor visibility or nighttime operations, the risk of fatal accidents increases markedly. This points to the fact that not only individual risk factors like alcohol consumption influence the probability of fatality, but also the interactions between multiple risk factors. The CHAID tree model identified the combination of high BAC, nighttime operations, and specific weather conditions as critical predictors of fatal outcomes. The results have important implications for maritime safety management. Traditional approaches to safety may not be sufficient if they focus only on individual risk factors. Instead of that, a more developed approach is needed--one that recognises and addresses the complex interplay between different variables that contribute to accidents. This could include more comprehensive training programs that educate crew members on the dangers of alcohol consumption, especially when combined with adverse weather and low visibility conditions. Additionally, implementing stricter enforcement of alcohol regulations or policies, especially during high-risk periods such as nighttime or bad weather, could significantly reduce the likelihood of fatal accidents. In conclusion, enhancing maritime safety requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond addressing individual risk factors. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, it is essential that safety measures evolve as well, ensuring that all possible risks are minimised. Conceptualisation, A.M.; methodology, A.M. and L.S. ; software, L.S. ; validation, L.S. ; formal analysis, A.M. and L.S.