September 27, 2024: lessons from the Titan submersible
Happy Friday!
As if I don't have enough going on at this time of the year, I've been absolutely riveted by the YouTube livestream of the US Coast Guard hearings on the Titan submersible. It's a textbook example of project management failure, but it's so fascinating I may record a few vlogs for YouTube based on my notes and comments.
I realize lots of media outlets are doing high-level daily summaries or key takeaways, but I've got to say that even if you only listen to the first few hours of the Day 1 (September 16, 2024), the raw testimony is incredibly compelling and informative. TL;DR: manufacturing standards exist for a reason; high quality parts are required for a reason; and personality (i.e. what your boss wants) should never excuse process.
Apparently it was the week for naval disasters: in addition to listening to the Titan hearings, I also recorded a quick video about how the Bayesian yacht victims suffocated, they didn't "dry drown."
I am currently working on our 2025 Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class schedule. All classes will be posted to our website - and open for registration - after Canadian Thanksgiving (October 15). The focus will continue to be on Zoom public class (4 days x 4 hours) with the option for on-site, in-person private CPO classes or facilities who wish to host a semi-public class for their region. Please contact me for any specific scheduling requests.
Recent news links you may also like -
Windsor mom charged in drowning death of her 5-year-old child
I share this story because I have never seen these types of charges against a parent in Canada (they're frequent in the USA). Is it not enough that the child is dead, and they will have to live with the consequences of their actions for the rest of their life? Hopefully more information about this specific case will become available.
River Stour sculpture commemorates 16th century drowning that inspired Shakespeare
Do you enjoy this statue of a submerged woman, representing Shakespeare's Ophelia, or do you find it as creepy as I do?
Journalist Drowned After Falling Into River While Urinating, Investigator Says
It's not just people who intend to go swimming who experience fatal drowning.
MacDonald Island Annual Shutdown
If you want buy in from your community about why it's prudent to have an annual shutdown, you need to show the community what you actually DO during said shutdown. In my opinion, a lot of mistrust comes from lack of proactive communication or transparency about the time and resources that keep a pool running the other 340~ days per year, so this video is a big win on a lot of levels for me!
Inglewood residents rally to save their pool
Several years ago, the City of Calgary announced plans to close two pools that have reached the end of their lifespan, choosing to reinvest said municipal recreation resources into expanding the centralized MNP Community & Sport Centre. The Inglewood community continues to resist the economic reality that smaller neighborhood pools do not always make sense operationally. One of the hardest things I ever had to do as municipal administration staff was try to explain to rate/taxpayers that the direction of Council is often based on equity, not necessarily service level equality.
Plans to turn derelict Derbyshire quarry into water park resort set for refusal following hundreds of objections and more than two years in limbo
A few months ago, I interviewed Beckie Ramsey of Doing It For Dylan. Her son died after swimming in an abandoned quarry. Thankfully the legislative consultation process works and a project in the UK to turn a quarry into a water park will not be proceeding.
Fredericton turns to N.B. commission to help settle standoff over funding for new pool
Every community is watching their pennies in this economy, but the longer we defer building new pools, the more expensive if it's going to get.
I recently completed my 10th (or more) National Lifeguard (NL) recertification. I've met lots of people over the years who are very nervous and don't know what to expect from an NL recert, so I made a video about the process.
Thanks so much for being here! I appreciate you and your time.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.