摘要: |
Cell phones have been recognized as contributing factors in maritime accidents over the years. This was recently evidenced in the grounding of the containership Ever Forward in Chesapeake Bay on March 13, 2022. The 117,000-ton ship, owned by Evergreen Marine, departed Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore enroute to Norfolk with a Maryland state pilot aboard. In its report, the Coast Guard cited (1) failure to maintain situational awareness and attention while navigating and (2) inadequate bridge resource management as factors. In terms of a positive aspect of the matter, post-accident recommendations of the Coast Guard called for vessel owners and marine operators to develop and implement effective policies outlining when the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices is appropriate or prohibited. |