Analysing environmental conditions and human factors in marine casualties in the Black Sea using HFACS-PV and similarity mapping technique

The Black Sea is a waterway characterised by adverse weather and sea conditions. Despite collaborations aimed at ensuring navigational safety, serious marine accidents continue to occur in the area. This study aims to identify human and organisational factors (HOFs) specific to the region that emerge in marine accidents. In this context, the focus was on factors contributing to common accident types, such as groundings and sinkings, occurring in the Black Sea 2019–2024. To identify contributing factors, modified Human Factors Analysis and Classification System was employed. Network analysis using VOSviewer was conducted to reveal relationships among contributing factors. The results showed that, in addition to frequently cited factors like adverse weather, sea conditions, and limited manoeuvring space, Black Sea-specific factors such as inland/river-type ships and aging/worn hull structures play a significant role in the occurrence of accidents. The most common accident sequence for accidents in the region was defined as a chain of events starting with engine failure, followed by drifting and grounding, and ultimately resulting in hull failure and sinking. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of HOFs specific to marine accidents in the Black Sea, providing a useful foundation for future research and risk management strategies.