US Sailing's investigation of this tragic loss seem to have been thorough and complete, but for me at least it raised several points worth pondering.

I was struck by the investigation's focus on the functions and procedures for using various electonic navigation equipment, while there was little emphasis on "fundamentals", such as good navigation and watchkeeping practice. I got the impression that while the captain and watchstanders were all experienced and competent, they also were accustomed to allowing the navigation to be done by the machines, in this case the autopilot and the GPS/chartplotter. I think it's unfortunate that the investigation report draws no conclusions, and makes no recommendations relating to navigation and watchstanding basics, such as passing on navigation information e.g. lights and navaids expect on the watch, hazards, ect, or plotting positions on a chart. The investigation makes no mention of the most basic of safe navigation rules. Lay out a track and maintain a proper DR (Dead Reckoning) track.

I know that pointing this out will lead to some eye-rolling by those who think that basic good navigation practices have changed with the advent of sophisticated electronics, but I disagree. Having sat on a number of Investigation Boards, and read countless reports of collisions, groundings and ship loss, I learned that despite all improvements to navigation accuracy, simplicity and reliability, the most common cause of such disasters remains the old, dated, dull conclusion that the ship "Failed to maintain a proper navigation and DR track". I think it's unfortunate that the conclusions and recommendations of the AEGEAN report failed to mention these basic requirements of good navigation.

As always, it's tragic that lives are lost because of errors at sea, but the sea does not forgive mistakes, whether you make them with a pencil or a chartplotter.