Safety regulation has evolved from the rudimentary Roman calendar method to 19th century Merchant Shipping Acts, which went on to form the cornerstone of modern legislation

摘要

The sea always has been, and remains, a dangerous place to be, although modern technology and advances in ship design have made maritime travel very much safer than it once was. Here we will explore the history of marine safety from Roman times up to the end of the 19th century. In ancient times danger was simply accepted as part of the job. In the case of the earliest explorers it wasn't just the danger of sinking that made the sea a perilous place to be. In many cases explorers didn't even know if there was any land to be reached, nor how long it might take, so to the danger of sinking we had to add the risk of running out of food and fresh water. Even sailors who stayed close to shore faced severe hazards from the waves, currents and the wind in boats that were in many cases difficult to handle.