As I write on the 4th anniversary of the El Faro sinking (Oct. 1, 2015), I am reminded that those who lost their lives weren’t strangers, many shared the very same backgrounds, the same hometowns, schools, etc. as the rest of us and so we remember. Professional mariners understand the dangers professional mariners face, but it is none less jolting to hear of these things. In … [Read more...]
The Rescue: Maersk Montana Rescues Survivor of La Belle Vie
By Steve Miller, Third Officer, M/V Maersk Montana - “Let me know when he’s aboard!” came the voice through the handheld radio. It was the voice of the Captain, as everyone knew. “Stop the engine!” the Captain said again, this time shouting through the bridge door from the port wing. “Stop the engine!” I shouted back. It was fully dark now, the ship’s deck lighting … [Read more...]
Spotlight on Safety Paper Looks at Maritime Calamities that Should Have Never Happened
By Captain John Loftus - As one of the co-authors of “Spotlight on Safety”, I was onboard as part of the presentation team sponsored by the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots and Dalhousie University at the World Maritime Rescue Conference in Vancouver, BC (15-17 June 2019). The subject matter was unveiled via poster presentation and discussion. In … [Read more...]
Captain George Livingstone: Distraction
By Captain George Livingston - Fatigue has the official attention of the international maritime community. From the likes of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the USA’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), etc., safety agencies worldwide have … [Read more...]
Business of Shipping: Simple Rules for Attracting Investors for Public Shipping Firms
By Ira Breskin - Veteran investment banker Brian Friedman, president, Jefferies Financial Group, recently explained the simple rules executives of publicly traded shipping firms should heed to attract and retain fickle Wall Street investors’ attention. His ground rules are brutal in their simplicity. First, market leaders must have scale, Friedman said. That means shipping … [Read more...]