Learning from this tragedy could prove an invaluable lesson in risk mitigation with complex maritime operations, writes John Butler. In the early morning of 26 March 2024 the container ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore forcing its dramatic collapse which was captured and circulated on television and social media across the world. This is a textbook example of a Black Swan Event, an unexpected incident that has disproportionately created a social and economic impact on a local area. This incident also shines a light on the offshore industry, maritime insurance, and the importance of Marine Warranty Surveyors. Continue reading “The Francis Scott Key Bridge ‘Black Swan Event’ and its effect on the insurance markets”
I am rarely surprised by the ingenuity of people these days when most things seem possible, but this idea struck me as being visionary and worthy of a mention. An original concept, Art Explora is billed as the world’s first museum boat, which plans to sail across the world’s oceans with a self-stated mission to bring visitors innovative artistic and cultural experiences. It is the inspiration of its entrepreneurial founder and patron Frédéric Jousset. Art Explora is a large catamaran that can host up to 2,000 gallery visitors on board each day free of charge. 
This is a remarkable story, one of my favourites for ages, which fortunately had a happy ending. What caught my eye specifically were the details of the good Samaritan vessel – a floating sauna – which came to the aid of a sinking Tesla. I must have led a sheltered life as I was completely unaware that such craft existed and that they are indeed popular in Norway and can be hired by the hour! And being a skipper of a floating sauna sounds like a very cool job – never getting cold on the job either! 
If you thought taking selfies was without risk, this bizarre story proves otherwise. Have you ever wondered about the dangers of taking a selfie on an unstable vessel for example? Well, here is one such incident. Fortunately, on this occasion, nobody was seriously injured, but it could have been far worse.