Appraisal of Incidence of Boat Mishaps in South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

This study appraises boat mishap incidences involving inland waterways operation in the southwestern Nigeria with particular reference to Lagos Metropolitan area. It examines the magnitude of boat mishaps in the area under study using Time Series Analysis. The spatial pattern of boat mishap incidences was examined to underscore the magnitude of the spatial distribution of boat mishaps in the area under consideration. The study was undertaken using GIS Mapping integration systems to ascertain the spatial pattern of the occurrence and distribution of incidences of boat mishaps through satellite imagery. Geographic Information System (GIS)
tools were used to ascertain the uniqueness of the spatial content of boat mishaps. Accidents Curve revealed that highest figure of casualties was recorded in 2014 with14 fourteen boat accidents resulting in high fatality rate of 100 casualties; followed by year 2015. The lowest frequency of accident was recorded in 2010. Major proximate cause of boat accidents is attributable to negligence, over speeding and Storms (Act of God), high wave, among others. This can be attributed to increase in traffic and high patronage of water transportation as an alternative to land transport in the study area given the peculiar challenges of road transportation problems and its attendant problems. Others include Overloading, hull problem, and obstacle (environment) respectively. The study recommends that authorities in charge of inland water transport safety management and control as a matter of urgency should pay full attention to safety of life and property on Inland waterways and provide safety apparatus to cater for boat accident victims.