Here it is…

Who feels like distrusting the federal government today? I know I do!

A former Lockheed Martin engineer has released a video on YouTube.com detailing engineering flaws and oversights in the design of a US Coast Guard patrol boat.

The video is 10:30 long and covers safety and security issues on the 123 class of patrol boats as well as the engineer’s previous attempts at correcting the problem. While the production of the video is very simple, the message is of the upmost importance.

I’m familiar with engineering ethics (as I had to take an ethics class in college in order to graduate), and this is the epitome of ethical practice. For an engineer, it is a social responsibility to alert people of things like this. As stated in the National Society of Professional Engineers Ethics Page…

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

Good on this guy. It takes great courage to do something like this. He’ll save many lives with his actions. If need be, I’ll donate to a legal defense fund should he be charged with anything resulting from this video. I encourage others to do as I did and spread this around.