[Boatanchors] El Faro ship lost with 33 lives but - The Radio Officer was saved!

[oldradio at comcast.net]

Some years ago the position of Radio Officer was eliminated. They switched to GMDSS.

Ironically GMDSS has saved the life of a Radio Officer since none was onboard.

"The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft."

Worked as good as the thinking behind it, saving the ships company one Officers salary.  What's that ship worth?  What are the lives worth?

Remember the Titanic!  Without Radio Officers, none would have been saved.

73, John Dilks, K2TQN 
www.k2tqn.com/ 
Former Editor Vintage Radio Column, QST 2000-2014 
Having fun smelling hot rosin and solder again