From Baird Maritime:
An "oldie" but a "goody". Originally published in 1989, this very valuable book has unfortunately escaped this reviewer's notice until now.
It is a massive tome. Not surprising, really, given the number of collisions that occur every year on the relatively empty seventy odd percent of the Earth's surface that comprises the sea.
Your reviewer has long been fascinated by the frequency and apparently mundane causes of most accidents at sea including collisions. The reasons behind them are always interesting. You would think we would all learn from them. Tragically, we do not.
This very carefully and systematically compiled study of a large number of collisions that occurred at sea from 1867 to 1975 does not turn up anything surprising. That is, except for the tragic fact that sea-going humans seem to learn so little from their mistakes.
This scientifically logical approach shows conclusively that the overwhelming cause of collisions at sea is human error in all its forms. This is unsurprising but it is good to have it confirmed in such a convincing manner.
Ordering Information:
Brown, Son & Ferguson Glasgow, UK Web: www.skipper.co.uk