New Zealand freighter oil spill

[Alvin Walton]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I just don't see how ships run aground with all the electronics on these ships. They have 3 systems that can warn them of shallow water or reefs like they hit. I have the basic stuff and I can tell you the water depth miles in front of me. I also can set an alarm to go off if I'm heading into waters of a certain depth. So if I don't want to enter into water that is less then 5 feet I set the alarm to go off if I'm within a certain distance of that depth.

If you operate in narrow channels near shallow water and you lose power the wind and currents will blow you any way it wants.