Before Captain Cahill died in 1999, he bequeathed the legacy of these, his two major works, to The Nautical Institute.
The contents of this 2nd Edition were mapped out and the cases analysed before his untimely death so this volume is in all respects his authoritative voice speaking. The essence of both books is summed up by his choice of an introductory quote from the 13th century, ‘Take warning from the misfortunes of others, that others need not have to take warning from your own.’
Navigation in our modern times, aided by sophisticated shipborne integrated electronic navigation systems, should be a relatively easy task yet masters and shipowners know that the risk of stranding remains ever present and carries the most severe consequences.
Captain Cahill takes a dispassionate and often severely critical view of ship operational practices, reminding the reader that the risk of strandings has to be managed effectively. The officers applying the rules must know how to apply them consistently.
Those responsible for the navigation should comply with the bridge procedures and prepare their plans, discuss them and execute them in a supportive way, which minimises the risk of a potentially disastrous one man error.
While it is possible to learn from individual cases, the value of this book is in its compilation and analysis of diverse incidents from which it is possible to know more fully just how interdependent ships and people become when at sea. From this can be seen the accumulative errors and omissions which lead to discontinuity and the failure of safe working practices.
Accidents are always unexpected, but by discussing the cases presented in this book, whether on board ship or in a classroom, participants will be exposed to and learn from the failure of others. In terms of accident prevention, these are books to be thankful for.
Strandings and Their Causes (2nd Edition)
By Captain R A Cahill.
Published by The Nautical Institute.
ISBN 1 870077 61 X.
Hardback, 269 pages.
Price £55.
