Letter: Alarming level of cargo ship losses
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: As the union representing 20,000 masters and officers serving at sea in merchant ships, Numast welcomes the publicity given in your columns to the appalling losses of bulk carriers ('Safety warnings over cargo ship defects 'ignored' ', 24 July).
The situation you highlight is even worse than indicated - 279 bulk carriers lost between 1975 and 1990, an average of 17 vessels each year.
Such losses would simply not be tolerated if suffered by passenger ships or civil aircraft and it is shameful that the lives of seafarers are held with such scant
regard.
Your article emphasises the need for more and tougher inspections of these vessels, and stricter rules to combat the menace of flag of convenience registers which facilitate the operation of unsafe ships. These are among the issues Numast is consistently campaigning on.
The alarming level of bulk carrier losses was addressed by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, which this year produced a hard-hitting report condemning low standards of maritime safety.
The Lords recommended that all ships over 20,000dwt should carry hull stress monitoring systems and that voyage data recorders - similar to the black boxes used in planes - be fitted to all ships.
In addition, they urged the use of better standards of steel.
The substandard state of many bulk carriers threatens not only their crews, but other ships, coastal populations and the environment, and Numast intends to ensure that the House of Lords report is not left to gather dust on the shelves of the Department of Transport.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN NEWMAN
General Secretary
National Union of Marine
Aviation and Shipping Transport
Officers
London, E11
24 July
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments