Determinants of Domestic Ferry Casualties in Langkawi: A Narrative and Integrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58915/aset.v5i2.3183Keywords:
Domestic ferry, Maritime safety, Ferry casualties, LangkawiAbstract
Domestic ferry transportation plays a crucial role in supporting tourism, regional connectivity and economic development in Langkawi, Malaysia. Despite improvements in maritime safety regulations and operational standards, ferry casualties continue to occur, raising concerns regarding safety performance and operational risk management within high demand island transport corridors. Increasing passenger demand and operational pressures in tourism driven routes may challenge compliance with safety standards and expose ferry services to environmental and operational uncertainties. This narrative and integrative review synthesizes existing literature on the determinants of domestic ferry casualties, focusing on human factors, environmental conditions, mechanical failures, organizational influences and technical knowledge as potential determinants identified in the broader maritime safety literature. Accident causation is identified as multifactorial and dynamic, involving interactions between human limitations, environmental uncertainties and technical system vulnerabilities rather than isolated operational failures. Heinrich’s domino theory, Bird’s domino theory and Systems theory are applied to explain behavioral triggers, management control weaknesses and system level interactions influencing casualty occurrence. It provides important insights for policymakers, ferry operators and maritime authorities to enhance safety management, strengthen regulatory enforcement and improve operational resilience. The study also directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting safe, resilient and sustainable domestic maritime operations.
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