Apart from leaving behind a shattered group of family and friends, the small world tragedy of Bernie's death will not create a Tsunami; but like any pebble dropped into a pond, it will, as it must, create a ripple.
Can we, those left behind, make Bernie's ripple into a dam buster? Do we even want to? No one seems to care until it is them or a loved one being torn apart by a mindless, blind, uncaring system. The minority who care and understand are those who have been touched by death, injury and the system; and those who could not care less, until Karma rolls the dice.
I believe we must try; it is up to those left behind to ensure that having survived an accident the aftermath does not turn into a nightmare leaving the survivors wondering if they were. perhaps, better off dead. Certainly not because of a preventable accident which could, conceivably happen again. None of the critical issues have been addressed:
The failure of the regulator to correct rules, which for many years have been described as 'bad-law'. There has been a 25 years wait for these corrections.
The failure of the company and regulator; both clearly defined by the various audit and report. The failure of both the regulator and company to ensure that operational practices, risk mitigation and training were adequate to the demands of tasking: not simply 'compliant' with complex, contradictory, bad law.
The partial failure of the life jackets, which failed miserably those who were unfortunate enough to be that 'one chance in a million' to desperately need them. Need them they did, as the life raft was the first casualty – sinking like a rock on impact. The problems with 'whistles' the problems with the locator lights; all of which, in one way or another betrayed those who were, literally swimming for dear life.
One thing is certain though; the Senate inquiry, the Forsyth report and the Canadian peer review all call for major changes; it has now been almost two years since the Senate identified a fatally flawed safety system, since then........................?
Multiple systematic failures, one preceding the other, had the fates not been kind that night, who knows, perhaps there would have been six funerals to attend. Who knows? But perhaps Karen would be well and happily attending to patients; Doc. Helm would hale and well, attending to his patients, Bernie and Garry would have been at home enjoying their life, had things been done differently, before and after the event.
Perhaps, in a happier world the warnings will not be dismissed as the ramblings of fools and the mouthing of half wits; perhaps the venal, greedy, self satisfied and self serving will realise that even the smallest, most humble of pebbles can create a dam buster ripple; but alas, not it seems, in the world we are resigned to.
I wish you Godspeed and safe home Bernie; I regret there was no more that I could have done beforehand to prevent the event, and afterwards to ease your burden.
Selah.
Quote:"Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives and their reactions in turn affect others. The choices you make have far-reaching consequences. Each of us carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. We can use the Principles of the Ripple Effect to magnify our actions and their effects."
Can we, those left behind, make Bernie's ripple into a dam buster? Do we even want to? No one seems to care until it is them or a loved one being torn apart by a mindless, blind, uncaring system. The minority who care and understand are those who have been touched by death, injury and the system; and those who could not care less, until Karma rolls the dice.
I believe we must try; it is up to those left behind to ensure that having survived an accident the aftermath does not turn into a nightmare leaving the survivors wondering if they were. perhaps, better off dead. Certainly not because of a preventable accident which could, conceivably happen again. None of the critical issues have been addressed:
The failure of the regulator to correct rules, which for many years have been described as 'bad-law'. There has been a 25 years wait for these corrections.
The failure of the company and regulator; both clearly defined by the various audit and report. The failure of both the regulator and company to ensure that operational practices, risk mitigation and training were adequate to the demands of tasking: not simply 'compliant' with complex, contradictory, bad law.
The partial failure of the life jackets, which failed miserably those who were unfortunate enough to be that 'one chance in a million' to desperately need them. Need them they did, as the life raft was the first casualty – sinking like a rock on impact. The problems with 'whistles' the problems with the locator lights; all of which, in one way or another betrayed those who were, literally swimming for dear life.
One thing is certain though; the Senate inquiry, the Forsyth report and the Canadian peer review all call for major changes; it has now been almost two years since the Senate identified a fatally flawed safety system, since then........................?
Multiple systematic failures, one preceding the other, had the fates not been kind that night, who knows, perhaps there would have been six funerals to attend. Who knows? But perhaps Karen would be well and happily attending to patients; Doc. Helm would hale and well, attending to his patients, Bernie and Garry would have been at home enjoying their life, had things been done differently, before and after the event.
Perhaps, in a happier world the warnings will not be dismissed as the ramblings of fools and the mouthing of half wits; perhaps the venal, greedy, self satisfied and self serving will realise that even the smallest, most humble of pebbles can create a dam buster ripple; but alas, not it seems, in the world we are resigned to.
I wish you Godspeed and safe home Bernie; I regret there was no more that I could have done beforehand to prevent the event, and afterwards to ease your burden.
Selah.