

Ep 19. Kristian Gould - How could you not see the oil tanker?
Mar 7, 2025
Kristian Gould, a human factors expert in the energy and maritime sectors, dives into the shocking 2018 collision involving the Norwegian frigate Helge Ingstad and an oil tanker. He discusses how human error is often oversimplified, revealing deeper systemic issues like communication failures and crew experience that led to the disaster. Kristian emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and how political influences can drive safety improvements. He also critiques how accountability is often mismanaged in organizations, especially under pressure.
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The Helge Ingstad Collision
- A Norwegian Navy frigate, the Helge Ingstad, collided with an oil tanker in clear conditions.
- This resulted in the total loss of the frigate, but no loss of life or significant environmental damage.
Not a Unique Incident
- The Helge Ingstad collision was not unique; similar navigation accidents had occurred previously.
- The conditions leading to the collision were not novel, but the severe outcome drew significant attention.
Focus on Human Error
- The media quickly focused on human error as the cause of the collision, due to the lack of technical issues.
- The advanced technology of the frigate and the clear conditions led to surprise and blame.