The accident of m/v Herald of Free Enterprise: A failure of the ship or of the management?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster was due to the ship or the management, using the modern management theory of complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The 75 pages investigation of the court has been studied and codified to the main aspects and mistakes producing the accident. After the mistakes were identified, a procedure adopted in analysis B to show how these could be avoided if a different management theory has been adopted.

Findings

The main finding was that management was responsible for the accident on shore mainly and on board and that a special communication mean which is called “dialogue” in complexity theory parlance had to be adopted.

Practical implications

Any shipping company and ship can identify itself through the common mistakes mentioned and adopt the proposed theory to improve safety and management's effectiveness.

Originality/value

The paper provides a concise analysis of the accident. A new theory is presented and linked to this case study. The study will be useful to management on shore and on board and for IMO of Flag administrations and departments of transport and others.

Citation

Goulielmos, A.M. and Goulielmos, M.A. (2005), "The accident of m/v Herald of Free Enterprise: A failure of the ship or of the management?", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 479-492. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653560510618320