AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Key Mistake Led to Shipwreck
- Captain Joe Hazelwood left the bridge of Exxon Valdez to complete paperwork, leaving the third mate in charge.
- The ship failed to turn in time and ran aground on Bligh Reef, causing a massive oil spill.
Exxon’s Cost-Cutting Culture
- Exxon was a massive, vertically integrated oil giant with global reach and huge profits in the 1980s.
- Despite this, its corporate culture prioritized cost-cutting and compromised safety and environmental responsibility.
Captain Hazelwood’s Drinking Problem
- Joe Hazelwood struggled with alcoholism, having been arrested for drunk driving twice but was allowed to continue working by Exxon.
- His drinking was an open secret among colleagues but was tolerated due to his sailing skills.