UNIT 2. Human Errors in Accidents

Efforts were now focused on trying to find the two missing French tourists and on protecting the environment from the oil spilling from the sunken ship.

The three-hour evacuation was criticised by some passengers as slow and chaotic.

The 143-metre cruise ship, built in 1986, is owned by Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines.

Vocabulary

II. Vocabulary Practice

Find an odd word.

a) spill, lack, leak, escape;

b) protect, defend, cover, recover;

c) carry, trap, sweep, move.

III. Speech Practice

1. Explain in English what the following words and word-groups mean:

a remote-controlled submarine; clean-up crews; negligence; environment.

2. Rephrase the sentences using the words in bold.

3. Answer the questions to the text above.

1. What are the aftereffects (последствия) of the Sea Diamond sinking?

2. What is the main task of the search operation now?

3. Who is engaged in protecting the environment from oil pollution?

4. What charge has been brought against the captain and crew members?

4. Speak about the accident using the above questions as a plan.

Text 2. A number of errors led to a collision between
a UK cargo ship and a Danish fishing boat

I. Read the text.

Make sure you understand the words below:

The collision between the Scot Explorer, owned by Scotline, based in Romford, Essex, and the Dorthe Dalso took place in November 2004.

The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) says the accident happened due to a lack of crew on watch and a failure to use radar properly.

The Scot Explorer was headingfor Sweden carrying timber when she collided with the fishing boat Dorthe Dalsoe, which was seriously damaged.

Investigators from the MAIB found the fishing vessel had a tired and inexperienced crew, and that it was not displaying proper lights.

However, those on board the Scot Explorer did not take the appropriate action.

There was only one person on the ship's bridge, and another crew member who also acted as a look-out was attending to other responsibilities in the galley.

The radar system was not being used properly – and if it had been, the collision probably would not have happened.

The report is recommending an independent study of safety levels for the manning of ships, and the use of lookouts on board.

Vocabulary