| “Written maybe a little better, …”
Digging maybe a little deeper, I would say.
Regardless of their national origin or ethnic background “these individuals” in charge of the propulsion machinery on vessels operated by large shipping and cruise companies generally hold a degree in marine engineering and have met the international standards required to perform the duties of an officer holding an unlimited certificate of competence in marine engineering. Do you?
Is there some reason a “very poor third world nation” cannot produce an individual capable of being trained to the standards required to operate a nuclear propulsion plant? I have filled out a ton of documents related to training and licensing, and muddled through a wretchedly large volume of maritime regulations in the course of my career but have yet to find one that requires a specific genetic heritage.
As a matter of fact, the IMO addresses the dangers of cultural bias, prejudice, and intolerance as among the factors which reduce crew safety and operational efficiency. Part of the training of a ship’s officer includes making him or her aware of the dangers of such thinking. Knowing better is what separates the professionals from those who really do make the “political bodies feel slightly uncomfortable …”
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