For every one hundred protection and indemnity insurance 

 accidents, 80 in Nev England, and 83 in California consisted of 

 personal injiiries during 1950-5^. Hand injuries were the most 

 frequently occurring personal injuries in both areas, while in 

 New England, organic diseases and poisoning, mainly nonoccupational 

 in nature, were more frequent than diseases which generally may be 

 considered occupational, such as infections and exposure. 



Petty protection and indemnity insurance claims of no more than 

 $250 each were very frequent in New England — 70 percent of the total 

 number of all claims — but less frequent in California. Contrary to 

 the prevailing notion, only 52 percent of the total amount of aJ.1 

 losses in New England was due to large claims of more than $5,000 

 each, while 83 percent of the total amount of all losses in California 

 were the result of claims amounting to more thaji $5,000. The amount 

 of losses paid for personal injuries constituted three-fourths of all 

 losses in New England and nine-tenths in California. Hand injuries 

 constituted the most severe personal injuries in New England, ^d.th the 

 lairgest amount of loss per claim and the largest proportion of losses, 

 while foot injuries constituted the most severe personal injuries in 

 California. In terms of amount of losses, nonoccupational diseases-- 

 orgamc diseases and poisoning- -were more severe than occupational 

 ones--infections and colds or exposure. 



The best constructed and equipped vessel is as good a risk as 

 the people who man and operate it. Although somewhat dogmatic, this 

 statement hardly overemphasizes the paramount importance of the human 

 element as a decisive factor in the prevention and reduction of the 

 frequency and severity of accidents. In a decided majority of hull 

 and protection and indemnity Insurance accidents, the human element 

 underscores the physical causes which may be present. With occasional 

 exceptions to the rule, the captain, the engineer, and the crew lack 

 the necessary training which will help them to perform their respective 

 duties \7ith maximum safety, both to the vessel and themselves. But 

 human nature manifests itself in a variety of other forms besides lack 

 of knowledge- -poor maintenance, inexcusable negligence, and even 

 intentional destruction of property. 



5. The vessel as an Insurable risk . Economic conditions, the 

 structure of the commercial fishing industry, an existing maritime 

 legislation have adversely affected the insurability of vessels 

 and contributed to the insurance problem in a number of ways. 



The presence of conflicting interests among vessel owners ajid 

 their highly diversified backgrounds seriously hinder the growth of 

 group loyalty and cooperation. In the past, different market interests 

 of vessel owners may have adversely affected the insurability of 

 commercial fishing vessels. 



