Marine accidents related to the tug-barges are frequent recently, such as oil spill caused by collision between oil tankers and tug-barges. There are many causes of these accidents, but poor working condition of operators takes up a considerable part of most causes. That is, the danger of accidents caused by fatigue accumulation exists in tug-barges of less than 200 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages or short shipping, because of the long-distance navigational watch by only one master. This paper aims to deduce problems of human element part out of the plan of sqfe navigation, and to propose legal amendments for preventing marine accidents by tug-barges.

• Sung-Hyeon Park
• Sang-Do Lee