The simple answer is: they are generally very safe. In fact, ferries are normally considered one of the safest means to travel in Europe. In fact, the European Union (EU) has applied certain regulations concerning safety on passenger ferries (ro-ro) with which all operators operating in European ports should align.

Passenger ferries remain one of the safest modes of mass transportation in 2026, particularly in regions with high regulatory standards like North America, Europe, and parts of East Asia. Statistically, the "fatalities per billion kilometers traveled" for ferries is significantly lower than for cars or motorcycles and is comparable to commercial aviation. Modern ferries are equipped with advanced Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), sophisticated radar, and dual-redundant engine systems to prevent collisions and groundings. However, safety levels can vary globally; in developing regions where regulations are less strictly enforced, "overloading" remains the primary cause of ferry incidents. In 2026, new SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) updates have mandated even stricter fire suppression systems and high-capacity marine evacuation slides on all new-build vessels. While major incidents are rare and often dominate news cycles, the vast majority of the billions of ferry journeys taken annually are completed without any safety issues, making it a reliable and secure choice for commuters and tourists alike.