15th Februaury 2005
Although the maritime “industry” is looked upon as a single entity, it is, in fact, a loose grouping of interests broadly connected to the transport of goods and people by sea. By its international nature, its governance is weak and ponderous; responsibilities are often whimsically divided by centuries’ old tradition. Many maritime institutions fail to recognise that they have any responsibility for safety at sea.
This is the view of Stephen Meyer, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), who will speak on ‘How accident investigations can improve safety at sea’, in the first Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) Stanley Gray Lecture of 2005, on Tuesday 12 April.
“Independent accident investigations, such as those conducted by MAIB, are normally able to determine the causal factors of marine accidents,” he explains. On 12 April he will be exploring how flag states, IMO, owners, managers, crewing agents, naval architects, insurers, P&I Clubs, classification societies, coastal states and other organisations can be persuaded to take responsibility for future safety at sea, by addressing the root causes of accidents.
“This will be a highly relevant and topical Stanley Gray Lecture,” says Keith Read CBE, Director General of IMarEST. “We are delighted that Stephen Meyer, who heads MAIB, is able to join us to share his views, and expect a packed conference hall. However loose a grouping the maritime “industry” may be, what we do know is that London is the world’s largest centre for maritime services, and, as Shipping Minister David Jamieson MP, who spoke at one of our events recently pointed out, the sector contributes 4,500 jobs and £1bn in overseas earnings each year, so IMarEST headquarters in the heart of the City of London is a very appropriate venue for what I know will be a fascinating and thought provoking lecture.”
The Stanley Gray Lecture, which is open and free of charge to IMarEST members and non-members alike, will be held at 17.30 at the headquarters of The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ. Tea will be available from 17.00, prior to the Lecture, and a Reception will follow it at 18.45. Places should be reserved online at www.imarest.org/events/stanley/reserve.asp or by use of a registration form available from the Events Department on +44 (0)20 7382 2655. Email: events@imarest.org
