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Î interest to Nautical Institute membersEight Down by David Reid
ÎIn Eight Down, David Reid has chosen an unusual but interesting
way to discuss a selection of eight well-known maritime casualties and
their causes, highlighting the common features they have in common.
He discusses each case in turn, making comparisons with catastrophic
incidents from other industries, and draws on experiences from his own
working life as a seafarer and subsequently a chaplain.
Reid refers to the Swiss cheese model developed by Prof James Reason
to explore the route through the ‘holes’ in the safety systems which can
be seen in so many cases. For many years now the industry has been
grappling with container ship fires arising from misdeclared cargoes
and other causes, but progress has been limited – this despite howls of
protest from so many across the maritime world. The Swiss cheese model
is applicable here too.
This timely book gives the reader a very honest and blunt opinion
of how the industry has been a victim of its own making. Short cuts in
design, money-saving solutions, cursory inspections by class or state
agencies, and commercial pressure on Masters and crews are just some
of the defects highlighted in each chapter. Why, oh why, were lessons
not learned from previous incidents, the author asks. We see stark
reminders of the consequences of ignoring warning signs, concerns
voiced by seafarers and others involved in the shipping industry and
the ever-present emphasis on commercial interests over safety. The lax
inspection regimes practised in some regions are alarming and Reid
has courageously highlighted examples in the US Coast Guard and
classification societies.
Most of the casualty examples cited will be well known to those in
the industry, as are the causes and the tragic consequences. However,
whether it be poor design, inadequate management practices, failure
to learn from previous experiences and mistakes, inadequate and
unqualified inspection regimes or the prioritising of commercial profit
over safety, the culture of risk assessment and positive investment in
safety is still not commonly shared across the shipping industry and
neither is it policed to a common standard globally.
The author’s sound nautical knowledge is clearly reflected in each
chapter as he describes the sequence of events which led up to the
casualties and how they could really have been avoided. He combines this
with the voice of a chaplain who genuinely cares for the well-being of the
seafarer and shipping industry generally.
It does take a while within each chapter before details and facts
are gleaned about the various casualties, which those without priorEight down
ISBN 1097125866
Available from Amazon – Paperbackknowledge might find somewhat frustrating. Switching from the casualty
to an example unrelated to the industry can also be confusing at times,
no matter how well intended. Also, the book is devoid of any images,
which would have been not only helpful to the uninitiated but also very
fitting given the subject matter. As such, the readership is likely to be
confined to those in the shipping industry with a specific interest in and
knowledge of casualties and their causes.
The clear message from this book is that people should be encouraged
to stand their ground when concerned about safety issues. Captain
Domenic Calicchio of the US Coast Guard, who strove to improve
inspection standards and procedures, is often cited as a shining example
in this regard.
If the industry as a whole can be persuaded to listen and learn from
the causes of casualties and take the necessary action to avoid the risk of
repeated incidents and loss of life, the number of casualties in the future
will certainly be reduced. Í
David A Pockett FNI
Co-founder, London Offshore ConsultantsRead Seaways online at http://www.nautinst.org/seaways August 2019 | Seaways | 27
Author David Reid FNI presents a copy of
Eight Down to the Chief Officer of Monte
Rosa during a port call in Philadelphia.Providing the highest standards of residential, nursing,
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for former seafarers and their dependents. Set in a 14
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minded companionship and support for seafarers and
a safe haven for those in old age.The Royal Alfred
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IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS OUR HELP, PLEASE CONTACT USRegistered as a Charity No. 209776http://www.royalalfredseafarers.com Reference code: FLAGT 01737 353 763 E [email protected]