Why is it that individuals feel the need to post about disasters marine or otherwise.

M

mocruising

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 Mar 2004
Messages
817
Location
TURKEY
Visit site
We all read the news and there is enough doom and gloom about these days, but why do certain individuals feel the need to post about certain events where there have been fatalities and tragic loss of life. It does not appear to be in the spirit of this forum.
 
I don't know. People like to talk.
I see no harm in talking about an incident.
Some times an incident brings emphasis on a safety issue and the discussion is valuable if only as a learning opportunity for those taking part in the discussion. Even though the points raised may have no part in the actual cause of the incident.
Today lots of boaters may be rethinking how they operate their boat, I am.
Yes there are all ways mixed types of comments from sympathy to criticism. The majority are not meant to be hurt full or offensive the few which are reflect more on the commentator than the unfortunate victims.
When some thing bad happens some people often deal with it by talking about it others don't.
The fact is no one on here is going to actually no what happened.
Accusations and blame are of little use after the fact it will not change what has already happened.
Learning from it may change the future.

There are times when incidents have happened and unfortunately I have known some of those involved(none of which have been discussed on here)
I've talked at length with others who knew them about it. I’ve discussed privately with some one involved in a fatal incident. It was his choice I did not ask.
Anther person I know involved in a different fatal accident. I meet quite regularly afterwards, I know the error he made and why he did not appreciate the problem. You cant just bring that up, we all ways talk about something else ,
 
The MAIB and for that matter aircraft accident reports are not designed to delight ghouls, but so that others may learn and avoid the same mistakes / situation.

The same goes on these forums.

The RAF used to produce a bulletin called ' Feedback ' where every non-fatal incident was given a humorous slant, the theory being that funny stories stay in the mind and get repeated, but the message still sinks through.

It worked, I still remember a case labelled ' bird strike ' where a frozen chicken fell out of a cargo net under a Chinook helicopter and knocked out someone on the ground;

in the event I should find myself loading an aircraft I'd be especially careful, as indeed I was after reading that to make sure I didn't drop a camera lens or anything else which might spoil someone's day or even cancel it entirely.
 
Because its topical and relevant to the hobby/sport and is also entirely in the spirit of the forum: -

Chat about cruising, debate this month's hot topic, hosted by Yachting Monthly magazine.
Click to expand...

To be honest it's interesting reading opinions on incidents and events, especially if it leads to gaining knowledge. I think analysis of a disaster is almost instinctive because we crave to justify our own positions or seek to prevent something form happening to us. It would a rather sterile world if we just waited for an official report.
 
Might I also suggest, that there are (or maybe) lessons to be learned, by us 'boaters', and the Authorities and Manufacturers.

If a tragic incident can improove safety and good practice, for the sport in general, so be it.

Giving the incident publicity in these internet pages might, just might, 'get across' dangers in the sport to some who are unaware of the dangers. The proper use of 'stop' (or 'kill' cords) and prop guards in this case is a prime example. Also the technique used by the 'other' rib man to get on board and bring the 'runaway' rib under control can only do good if understood and appreciated by 'others' in boating. As you never know when this sort (or similar) incident will happen again! I very much doubt that any Report will be given as much public exposure as the 'footage' shot and 'put out' on air on TV on the rescue attempt by the 'other' man in a RIB.
 
Last edited:
I think it's important to read about accidents to learn from them. I read the marine ones and when flying read the aviation ones. One classic was a Tiger Moth crash caused by the harness in the front cockpit being wrapped round the joystick.
 
you could ask why some folk post threads criticising others for posting threads about topical boat related news events... it is a forum and a place to chat about boaty things, just like any situation where a load of folk are chatting, sometimes you feel you want to join in a conversation, other times you don't... contribute at will ...... IMHO :)
 
Firefly625 said:
you could ask why some folk post threads criticising others for posting threads about topical boat related news events... it is a forum and a place to chat about boaty things, just like any situation where a load of folk are chatting, sometimes you feel you want to join in a conversation, other times you don't... contribute at will ...... IMHO :)
Click to expand...

Most astute comment, if you do not mind me saying so!
 
I would chat about it in the pub with people, so why not here? View it as 21 Centuary gossip.

In a way it is a defence mechanism! There by the grace of god go I.
 
When you hear about any accident or tragic event, it is instinctive to ask yourself "Am I in danger of this happening to me?" This causes some people seem unsympathetic: in their desire to convince themselves that it could never happen to them, they tend to 'blame' the victim!

A bit of this goes on when boating accidents get reported, but it is genuinely a good opportunity to check (without self-delusion) whether it could have happened to you, and to note how you could learn from other people's mistakes or misfortunes.
 
claymore said:
Mawkish, online rubbernecking. The equivalent of slowing down for a gawp at an RTA on the motorway.
Click to expand...

It's not likely to be anything like that at all. Its more weird to ignore such events, now that would be apathetic, in the context of the OP.
 
Many thousands of good sailors have died to get us to the stage we are at right now, to happilly potter about for leisure; to ignore the lessons they learned the hard way giving their lives, is an insult and a major show of ignorance of what we are supposed to have learned.
 
What follows is true. Really, I'm not the pratt it makes me out to be, honest, but ....

Was offered a cheap 4hp Evinrude outboard for my dinghy over the winter (not stolen!). Not had time to get it serviced or have a go with it yet. Never used one before. Did wonder what the red curly thing was for. Had no idea why I'd want or need one. Hmm perhaps I had better re-think that.

Also started to wonder if 4HP might be a tad large for one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sevylor-T...ng_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item1e7a5eae9e

So, perhaps it is a good idea to read all about it?
 
Seajet said:
Many thousands of good sailors have died to get us to the stage we are at right now, to happilly potter about for leisure; to ignore the lessons they learned the hard way giving their lives, is an insult and a major show of ignorance of what we are supposed to have learned.
Click to expand...


Well said! (also applies to other human endeavours)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top