Something wrong in our Industry ??

Very interesting topic. I'm not able to judge these accidents because I haven't read the reports (judging without knowing, we leave this to the medias...). Furthermore, depending of the flag state which is editing the reports, the accuracy of the conclusions could be more or less reliable (protecting the image of the flag etc...). Another factor which is forbidding me to judge is my lack of knowledge of the yachting industry (I'm working as a first officer on cruise vessels).

But to bring an element that could help the discussion, I'm going to speak about the commercial shipping point of view. I will let the yachting professionals interpolating to the yachting specificities. Many points have been discussed on the previous topics.

Over the last 90 years (since Titanic), the shipping industry has focused on improving ship structure and the reliability of ship systems in order to reduce casualties and increase efficiency and productivity. We’ve seen improvements in hull design, stability systems, propulsion systems, and navigational equipment. Yet, the maritime casualty rate is still high. Why? Because the maritime system is a people system, and human errors figure prominently in casualty situations. About 80% of marine casualties are caused, at least in part, by some form of human error.

Accidents can be viewed as a very successful events! What I mean is that it is actually pretty difficult to create an accident (thank good!). Accidents are not usually caused by a single failure or mistake, but by the confluence of a whole series, or chain, of errors. It is usually possible to trace the development of an accident through a number of minor events/mistakes.
But here is the most important point: every human error that was made was determined to be a necessary condition for the accident. That means that if just one of those human errors had not occurred, the chain of events would have been broken, and the accident would not have happened. Therefore, if we can find ways to prevent some of these human errors, or at least increase the probability that such errors will be noticed and corrected, we can achieve greater marine safety and fewer casualties.
We can list some of the factors which should be improved to reduce the number of accidents:

-Fatigue: 70% of the monney spend by the P&I clubs is covering maritime accidents engaging human error. Responsibility of the yacht owner/captain in managing the crew's fatigue? International regulation (WLO) applicable to yachts? Applicable to which tonnage?

-Inadequate Communications : Bridge Resource Management (BRM) is a first step towards improvement. Inadequate training?

-Inadequate General Technical Knowledge: lack of knowledge of the proper use of technology, such as radar. Following updated training for new technology? Ability to operate and proper knowledge to run hi-tech bridge?

-Inadequate Knowledge of Own Ship Systems : combination of better training, standardized equipment design, and an overhaul of the present method of assigning crew to ships?

-Poor Design of Automation : Poor equipment design is cited as a causal factor in one-third of major marine casualties. Equipment designers need to consider how a given piece of equipment will support the mariner’s task and how that piece of equipment will fit into the entire equipment “suite” used by the mariner.

-Decisions Based on Inadequate Information : we have a tendency to rely on either a favored piece of equipment or our memory. Many casualties result from the failure to consult available information...

-Faulty standards, policies, or practices: introduction of ISM code. Applicable on yachts? Which size? We have to pay attention not to create an excess of procedures, paper work etc...

-Poor maintenance: what regulation could constrain owner's to perform standarts maintenance? Flag states inspections, port state controls applicable to yachts?

-Hazardous natural environment : if we fail to incorporate these factors into the design of our ships and equipment, and when we fail to adjust our operations based on hazardous environmental conditions then we increase the risks.

But we have to keep in mind that most of these errors tend to occur as a result of technologies, work environments, and organizational factors which do not sufficiently consider the abilities and limitations of the people who must interact with them, thus “setting up” the human operator for failure. By keeping the "human operator" uppermost in our minds, we can design technologies, work environments, and organizations which support the "human operator".

We can learn so much from an accident! What could be done on the yachting industry to create a possibility for crew to have an easy access to investigation reports!

Human error is the main factor but we canot resume causes of accidents to this sole point. I hope this could help a little bit to go ahead with the discussion. I will be please to follow your comments and the connections we could make with the yachting industry. I'm particularly interested as I want to start working on yachts.
Hope It was not to long. I'm waiting for your reply.

As an engineer for the past 8 years on large yachts I have been on board different yachts that have had mishaps. Some worse than others but fortunatly none were bad enough for public attention or anybody injured. All were from human error (from the captains) which cuased damage to the vessel. From the most part of my experienced in these situations I have witnessed these main reasons for these captains to find themselves in these bad situations;
1. Not properly researching an area of destenation before departure. (talking to others who have been there, reading books, what ever).
2. Not laying out and inforcing proper ground rules for the crew to follow as procedure. Exapmle "Don't touch bridge equipment unless you ask or it is emergency situation"
3. Fearful to let the owners down on not making good time to only rush themselves into a bad situation in a hurry.

I am not trying to knock any Captains out there. But if you are a captain reading this, I hope it can help you.