[doc1019]

The operative words here are "avoidable accident". Anytime that the word “avoidable” is part of the message the Captain of the vessel is responsible and will ultimately suffer the consequences, the Captain of the ship (boat) is ultimately responsible for what happens on his ship.

[TexasTransplant]

>>>>>"The operative words here are "avoidable accident". Anytime that the word “avoidable” is part of the message the Captain of the vessel is responsible and will ultimately suffer the consequences, the Captain of the ship (boat) is ultimately responsible for what happens on his ship"<<<<<<

I agree 100% with that assessment but did you notice that the two that died are the COB and a 2nd Class, these are exactly the people that the CO would take advice from... not Order To and they would also be the first to disobey an Unlawful Order if they so deemed it to be so (unsafe or otherwise unlawful).
Micromanagement from above kills far more than trusting subordinates, routine complacency picks up the slack.

TT