Letters/Tanker safety: vessel traffic control
A response to an article by L.J. Carter and letters by T. S. Wyman and A. McKenzie showed that 85% of all shipping accidents result from human error, so that this is an area that should be emphasized. The individuals who operate tankers must be tested and retrained and stricter standards must be enforced in regard to the number of hours a person may be in control of a tanker. The number of accidents that have occurred and the number projected in the future make it clear that vessel traffic control systems should be installed along our entire coast, and especially in those heavily congested areas near harbors. The projected increase in the numbers of tankers and oil platforms in the Santa Barbara channel sets the stage for the collision of an oil tanker with a producing platform, particularly when those platforms are located between traffic lanes. Yet the U.S. Coast Guard's position is that the situation is not serious enough to invest in traffic control. However, the cost of installing and maintaining that control is far less than the cost of cleaning up after one disaster.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Santa Barbara
- OSTI ID:
- 5067458
- Journal Information:
- Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 201:4354; ISSN SCIEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
022000* -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ACCIDENTS
COASTAL WATERS
CONTROL
COST
ENFORCEMENT
HARBORS
HUMAN FACTORS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL SPILLS
PERSONNEL
SAFETY
SAFETY STANDARDS
SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL
SHIPS
STANDARDS
SURFACE WATERS
TANKER SHIPS
TRAFFIC CONTROL
TRAINING