>>1506027>How did safety improve so drastically?In a word, electronics. Across the board, electronics have increased safety margins dramatically. From proliferation of RADAR and improvements thereof, to LORAN (Navigation based on Radio beacons ashore. Similar to GPS, with radio towers instead of satellites, deriving location from differences in radio signal) and pinpoint accuracy GPS today. Takes all the guesswork out of staying off the rocks, though anyone will tell you that there's no substitute for situational awareness and terrestrial navigation knowledge. No figure handy, but a lot of maritime incidents are because navigators only look at the magic box, not out the window (See: Navy ships v. the broad side of commercial ships).
Also, electronic communication. From having a sparky in the shack fluent in Morse code, to today where you can hit a button in an emergency to broadcast a signal (GMDSS), satellite communication (no fiddling with shortwave radios and ship-to-shore. Just shoot an email to the office) and, if you're within range, just picking up your cellphone.
Then there's tracking. AIS systems transmit your location, speed, heading, and ship particulars, while allowing you to see the same in ships around. Again, takes the guesswork out and, in case of emergency, let search and rescue know your last known position.
Advances in meteorology and weather satellites allow for better weather routing and voyage planning. Though, in the case of the El Faro it still falls upon the Mariner to make the correct interpretations (and in that case, to actually use the up to date information rather than day old forecasts).
All together, there's been a change in safety management in the industry. Injuries and deaths are no longer a part of doing business. Ship construction is better, again partly due to computer aid. The ship owner doesn't hand the keys to the captain and cross his fingers as they steam over the horizon. That said, there are still fuckups and disaster
