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which, under optimal circumstances,

The Author would have prevented the incident.

And, yes, it is not alcoholism that van Hemmen drove this disaster bus, it was a se-

Rik van Hemmen is the President of Martin & Ottaway, a quence of operational screw-ups. There marine consulting ? rm that specializes in the resolution of were a number of lapses by a large num- technical, operational and ? nancial issues in maritime. ber of people which, if better executed, would have reduced the chance of the incident occurring. It is here where ac- cident investigation becomes interest- ing, and where accidents can really be more likely prevented.

There are some practical takeaways from this incident. First, proper whis- tleblower mechanisms help in alerting management to serious ? aws in their system. A word from a manager or a crew member would have prevented the vessel from being commanded by a master with an alcohol problem.

More interestingly, in reading the re- port, I have the feeling that the Pilot also learned an important lesson. When something does not look right it prob- ably is wrong, and that demands imme- diate action. I like to say that the mo- ment you are actually lost in the woods is not when you can no longer ? nd your way home, but, rather, it is the mo- ment you ? rst realize you are not sure where you are going, and that is when you have to take corrective action. An ounce of prevention, prevents a ton of disaster.

Sea Scout Ship 228

For each column I write, MREN has agreed to make a small donation to an organization of my choice. For this column I nominate Sea Scout

Ship 228 in Linden, NJ. https:// www.ship228.com/ Despite many publicized failures to take prompt action on preventative issues on the national level, Scouting on the local level, and especially traditionally co- ed Sea Scouting, teaches kids to not get lost in the woods or on the water. www.marinelink.com 23

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