My wife's uncle is a trained engineer, worked in a high-level mergers and acquisitions division of a well-known company, and is an aerobatics pilot. He says that the reason flying is so safe compared with any other form of transport is because of the ubiquitous and relentless use of check-lists, and the deep investigation of every incident. After each incident the check-lists are re-visited to see if the causes could be prevented. The investigations are carried out by independent bodies with their only aim being to find the truth.
When I wondered out loud once why such an approach isn't taken for other services and industries, a friend of mine - born forty with cynicism to spare - said "Rich people fly."
Perhaps the same approach to incidents in the maritime environment, and incidents involving the police, isn't taken because somehow the people most affected are seen as somehow not really worth the time and effort. It's not the rich people, the people in power, who are affected.
I really hope that's not true, because if it is, nothing will change.
When I wondered out loud once why such an approach isn't taken for other services and industries, a friend of mine - born forty with cynicism to spare - said "Rich people fly."
Perhaps the same approach to incidents in the maritime environment, and incidents involving the police, isn't taken because somehow the people most affected are seen as somehow not really worth the time and effort. It's not the rich people, the people in power, who are affected.
I really hope that's not true, because if it is, nothing will change.