It's those human factors again.

(From Lloyds List)

THE report by the industry study group into a number of serious explosions on chemical and product tankers contains much that is of significance. But it has also reminded us, almost incidentally, that there is much that remains unsatisfactory about the maritime industry.

The accidents which were investigated were, almost without exception, major marine disasters, involving serious loss of life.

The inter-industry group which was investigating the report was reputable, replete with the necessary expertise, but saw fit to comment on the limited information available from flag state casualty investigations, and also on the 'variable quantity and quality' of the data provided by the owners and the operators of the ships involved.

This speaks volumes about the progress that still needs to be made in bringing marine casualty investigations up to an acceptable level, but also the attitudes that are still prevalent within this industry.

Doubtless owners and operators would be 'warned' by their lawyers or their insurers to be careful what they said, in that too much information might affect their liabilities. The fear of prosecution might hang over those who have had anything to do with these fatal accidents, such is the paranoia currently engendered by the societal demands for criminalisation.

It is not a pleasant prospect, but one which senior accident investigators have commented upon on several occasions.