🔍 Key Concepts
• Human factors in marine casualties (fatigue, distraction, poor judgment)
• Difference between a direct cause (like speed) and an underlying cause (like decisions or actions)
• Typical findings in accident investigation reports (USCG, NTSB) about why casualties occur
💭 Think About
• Among the options, which factor is most commonly present in almost every type of accident, regardless of weather, vessel type, or location?
• Is high speed or excitement dangerous by itself, or does something else usually turn those conditions into an accident?
• Which option is broad enough to include poor decisions, lack of attention, miscommunication, and bad judgment?
✅ Before You Answer
• Make sure you distinguish between a condition that contributes to accidents and a root cause that is almost always involved.
• Ask yourself which choice accident investigators most often identify as the primary factor across many different incidents.
• Check whether any option is obviously unrealistic or sarcastic for a serious exam (for example, “excessive knowledge or skill”).