[QUOTE=BMCSRetired;70847]The main reason ISM was installed was so there was a standard that was spelled out and ensured that companies were being held responsible if systems were not functioning and they were not fixing things. Most of the horsepower behind getting it was implemented after the MARINE ELECTRIC disaster off Cape May in the early or mid 70’s. I read a great (and scary) book about it last year. In a nutshell, the company blamed the crew but the mate, a guy with union named Calhoun and a USCG Captain were able to get the truth out there in spite of the lawyers and voila, ISM.[/QUOTE]
Not to disparage the mariners who died on the MARINE ELECTRIC but I am going to say nyet on this. The ISM was developed by the British after the HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE rolled over off of Zeebrugge in Belgium. Do you honestly think that the deaths of 31 merchant mariners would rewrite how ships are operated around the world? It took the 193 that died in the HOFE tragedy to make the IMO wake up.
Speaking of the MARINE ELECTRIC, who remembers the day that the SS POET vanished off the face of the planet? I do and it still seems amazing that as late as the 80’s ships could still disappear without a trace like that!