As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia plays a pivotal role in maritime routes essential for economic and social activities. However, data from Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee reveals a concerning frequency of maritime accidents, averaging 21 incidents annually from 2018 to 2022. Given this fact, it is necessary to pay more attention to finding a solution to prevent accidents by identifying the root causes using an accident model. This study employs the Swiss cheese model to understand and address the underlying factors, which visualizes defensive layers as cheese slices and their vulnerabilities as holes. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols, periodic risk assessments, improved communication, and ongoing crew training. Future studies might consider incorporating the human factors analysis and classification system for a more comprehensive understanding of human factors in maritime accidents.