The total loss statistics for 1979, published in the Casualty Returns of Lloyd's Register of Shipping, provide further evidence of the increasing disparity between the safety records of vessels operating under different flags. Statistics of total losses are likely to be almost completely accurate, especially for ships of over 1000 tons gross, and can be used as the most reliable indication of trends in serious marine casualties. This review of recent total losses will be restricted to trading ships of over 1000 g.r.t.