The Doors of Death: The Herald of Free Enterprise
Summary
Tim Harford recounts the 1987 capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise, caused by an assistant bosun who fell asleep with the ferry doors open. The episode explores how corporate sloppiness and ignored safety warnings led to the disaster, killing 193 people. It details the subsequent legal struggles to hold the company accountable, highlighting the "pacing problem" where laws lag behind technological risks.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: ChatGPT Work, Ebglis, and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Introduction: The Herald of Free Enterprise ferry disaster
Prior warnings and ignored safety memos
The capsizing and immediate chaos on board
Sponsors: iHeart Advertising and Hollywoodland podcast
The inquiry: Blame, assumptions, and corporate policy
Survival stories and the Swiss cheese model of accidents
Corporate sloppiness and the limits of inquiry power
Sponsor: Hollywoodland podcast
Legal loopholes and the failed corporate manslaughter trial
Peter Spooner's campaign for corporate accountability
Conclusion, sources, and final sponsor messages
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