Science, Technology and the Sea
- From the Safety Point of View at Sea -
Tokujiro INOUE : Ph.D.
(Kobe University of Mercantile Marine )
ABSTRACT
Advanced technology is based on sciences, and the ability to see the
natures as they are is required in maritime education also. The more technology
progresses, the bigger an accident becomes, and there appears new type of troubles.
Establishing of Maritime Safety Engineering, so to speak, is urgent for further
development of maritime world.
science, high-tech, accidents, safety, education
1. Introduction
The sea is connecting all of nations, and ships can go any regions and
ports. Historically ships have moved people and wealth, and transfered civilization. At
present, once a big sea casualty occurs, the damage is not only limited to ship itself,
but influenced considerably to the neighbors, many forms of life, and natural environment
in the vicinity of accident. In this age of ever developing science and technology,
especially in information processing and automatic controls, considerations on how
maritime education and training must be and what potential dangers from the introduction
of advanced technology must be taken. Maritime safety is essential all the time.
2. Science and Technology
Ships are built at well rationalized shipyards, and the newest machines
and equipments are installed. All kinds of informations are processed and exchanged in a
instant via communication satellites. These remarkable achievements are the product of
science and technology.
Although we use the word of science and technology, they are different
in narrow sense. From historical point of view, science and technology grew up separately.
Science is to find a universal law which is governing our world, or to pursue the
existence of truth. In this case, we assume the objects should not be changed. On the
other hand, technology is practical or industrial art, and we touch and arrange the
objects positively to be useful for mankind. Someone says that science is superior to
technology, or technology is existing behind science. But I think they have different
objects as mentioned above, and there is no relation such as which is subordinate to
another.
There is a feature that science has progressed to respond to the
problems brought up by technolgy in this few hundred years. As I said that science and
technology are different, but there is no technology in disregard of science these days.
Knowing universal or general law is the possibility of extending and
develo-
