Who ever gave those orders is where the law suites need to land.
Another thing to consider is that if those containers broke loose they are a real danger to other ships.
“Who ever gave those orders is where the law suites need to land.”
There will be an inquiry. The Captain will be found at fault.
The deceased Captain is always blamed. From a lifetime of reading about the maritime life, and having worked shoreside vessel operations for many, many years communicating with many a vessel Captain I can say with certainty that it’s been this way for as long as there has been commercial shipping. It’s always the Captain’s fault.
“Another thing to consider is that if those containers broke loose they are a real danger to other ships.”
Another Captain will take a hit IF his vessel hits them.
The owners of the vessel in discussion will get a check from the insurer, and as they see it all will be well, and as it should be. Matter closed.
When a ship is lost it is a ship that is lost. The crew, the cargo usually worth more than the ship is all rolled into “the ship”. The ship owners are reimbursed by the insurer, the shipper’s are reimbursed, and IF the crew members had insurance their beneficiary is reimbursed. It’s an International industry, and much depends on the flag of registry.
Bottom line is everything, and the bottom line here is it’s a cold, cruel industry one should be wary of falling into the old Romance of the Sea bit.