Fundamental of Nursing Aged Care Assessment

Question: Portray about the Fundamental of Nursing for Aged Care Assessment. Answer: 1. As indicated by me, Mr. Jack is qualified for getting government help since he is over 75 years old and lives alone without companion. Indeed, even his child is away from him and just visits him on more than one occasion for each year and his girl, Katie visits him once a fortnight. No one is there to deal with him at home. He has tumbled down two months back and land up with serious issues in his left arm and knee and can't go to his own needs and go out from his home thus lost his certainty. Along these lines he is qualified to get government help under Home consideration bundles conspire. 2. As an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) part, I propose that the most suitable plan for Mr. Jack is elevated level network care. This sort of care is accommodated Mr. Jack under Level 4 of the home consideration bundle as it gives a more significant level of care to the qualified individuals which was given under the rules of Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) evaluations in 2015. Besides this bundle is exceptionally organized and facilitated approach for the consideration of older individuals with progressively complex needs. As Mr. Jack is 75 years old with no help at home which could be served by the bundle as it gives all these help administrations required for him by aiding errands, for example, washing garments and pressing, cleaning the house, planting and looking after home. As he can't meet his own needs because of the injury in left arms and legs, this bundle will give individual/self-care administrations, for example, help with portability, washing and dressing for him. He is additionally incapable to go out which will be bolstered by this bundle by helping him in transport as shopping, visiting wellbeing experts and social exercises. It additionally gives clinical consideration including access to facility, nursing, physiotherapy administrations which was given under Home Care Packages Program rules in 2013 2014. If necessary hearing and vision administrations ought to be given. He has lost his certainty because of his powerlessness to perform individual needs which could be overwhelmed by this bundle. This bundle is profoundly adaptable in the strategy for care and is locally situated which suits for Mr. Jack. 3. Mr. Jack is qualified to get level 4 administrations in home consideration bundle. He needs to spend an essential charge of $139.02 from twentieth March 2016 to nineteenth September 2016 and this rate increments on twentieth March and twentieth September every year which was given in my matured consideration benefits in Australia in 2016. This must be paid by Mr. Jack as an essential sum. He needs to get this help as he is separated from everyone else and can't do his very own needs and play out any life exercises. Notwithstanding that he needs to pay expense contingent upon his pay called as Income-tried consideration charge. He should pay this expense just if his salary is above $25,711.40 every year which was given in Information Booklet on Fees for Home Care Packages in 2015. He can likewise guarantee for yearly and lifetime tops for the salary tried consideration charge. 4. He ought to be surveyed for physical, mental, social, money related and profound requirements (Douglas, 2012). His degree of reliance on others for his own needs and how well he can deal with the errands of regular day to day existence ought to be evaluated. All the more explicitly he ought to be surveyed for the need of help with versatility, individual cleanliness, and so on (Lewis, 2014). He ought to be surveyed for the need of extraordinary consideration if there should be an occurrence of hearing and vision issues. Above all, the monetary status of Mr. Jack ought to be surveyed to help him for some administration help whenever required. As he is distant from everyone else with no help, his psychosocial needs (guiding requirements) ought to be distinguished. He ought to be evaluated for clinical needs, for example, nursing care, physiotherapy as he has issues in his left arm and knee. His otherworldly needs ought to be considered as this assumes a significant job in the recupe rating of people particularly the mature age individuals. Module 2 Mrs. Kylie, 34 years of age lady is fundamentally not a socially dynamic individual. She has just hardly any dear companions and invests a ton of energy with her better half. There are different psychosocial and natural factors that have contributed most to her poor results. The mental elements incorporates surprising mishap, fixed status, absence of legitimate ways of dealing with stress, debilitated self-perception, social latency, and so on has contributed for her poor results (Douglas, 2012). Mrs. Kylie consistently preferred to keep her genuinely fit yet out of the blue she has met with an engine vehicle mishap and unfit to play out her work. It humiliates her to rely upon others for help. At present, she has no arrangement to return to her work on account of her incapacity and poor adapting abilities. She couldnt have the option to acknowledge and adapt to her present circumstance. She feels socially segregated as she remains in her home and just goes through two hours on poker machines. Generally she was likewise a sharp tennis player and played consistently and some cardio tennis however know couldnt play in view of her incapacity. She is socially dormant, so incapable to ventilate her issues to other people. Mrs. Kylies self-perception is upset because of the spinal line injury thus feels a lot of sub-par. She has negative considerations thus will pass on social exercises. This is a genuine misfortune for her and unfit to acknowledge the current status (Lewis, 2014). She has dread, and is profoundly discouraged with poor alteration. Failure in sexual movement because of injury likewise influences her brain research and causes poor results. Here and there the budgetary issues likewise influence her wellbeing. Absence of inspiration additionally influences her wellbeing. These progressions expands pressure prompting poor results. The natural factors likewise influence Mrs. Kylies result. She didn't have an excessively dynamic public activity before her physical issue yet had a couple of dear companions that she saw moderately normally. After injury, she once in a while proceeds to invest a large portion of the energy at home. She is socially latent, so unfit to ventilate her issues to other people. This absence of social help is a primary ecological factor that has added to her poor result. 2.Mrs. Kylie had been treated under the Queensland Spinal Cord Injury Service (QSCIS) which is a state-wide rehabilitative help for spinal line injury patients. Its point is to enable these individuals and propel them to partake in life exercises and to improve the personal satisfaction. It has three help conveyance purposes of which the transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP) and the Spinal Outreach Team (SPOT) are the most significant focuses as they influence the result of the patient, if not gave appropriately. As per QSCIS, TRP is a network based recovery administration gave at the hour of release from restoration focus to the home. It is additionally because of Mrs. Kylies poor adapting abilities and powerlessness to acknowledge the truth to beat her circumstance. It is a collective methodology including different human services experts. It incorporates administrations gave by doctors, attendants, physiotherapists, word related specialists, drug specialists, dieticians, relaxation advisor, social laborers, and clinician. They set up a structure to meet the customers needs and engage them by instruction and backing. They advance the interest of customer in their requirements by beating the mental and ecological obstructions and help them to continue their life objectives. SPOT helps the spinal rope injury people to take part in their jobs by medical caretakers, word related specialist, physiotherapist and social laborers. They help to decrease the effect of psychosocial and natural factors on individuals influenced by spinal string injury through interview and instruction which was given in QSCIS administrations. References Maturing and matured consideration. (2015). Data Booklet on Fees for Home Care Packages and Residential Aged Care for People Entering Care. Recovered from https://agedcare.health.gov.au/locales/g/records/net1426/f/archives/05_2014/info_booklet_roadshow.pdf Douglas, C. (2012). Potter and Perrys Fundamentals of Nursing-Australian variant. (fourth ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Home consideration bundles. (2013). Home consideration bundles. Recovered from www.citizensinformation.ie ... Wellbeing administrations Health administrations for more seasoned individuals Home consideration bundles. (2014). Home Care Packages Program Guidelines. Recovered from https://www.dss.gov.au/destinations/.../01_2015/home_care_packages_guidelines_2014.pdf Lewis, S.M., Heitkemper, M. M., Dirksen, S.R. (2013). Clinical Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. (ninth ed.). Missouri: Mosby. My matured consideration. (2015). Matured Care Assessment Team (ACAT) appraisals | My Aged Care. Recovered from www.myagedcare.gov.au/qualification and-appraisal/acat-evaluations. My matured consideration. (2015). How appraisal functions | My Aged Care. Recovered from www.myagedcare.gov.au/qualification and-appraisal/how-evaluation works My matured consideration. (2016). Help at home: costs clarified | My Aged Care. Recovered from https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/budgetary and-legitimate/help-home-costs-clarified My Aged Care. (2016). Home Care Packages. Recovered from www.myagedcare.gov.au/matured consideration administrations/home-care-bundles Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service. Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service Model - Queensland Health. Recovered from https://www.health.qld.gov.au/qscis/archives/qscis-moc.pdf

Assigment 7 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assigment 7 - Assignment Example mindful and concealing it for organization benefits, I would move toward the chief and disappointment of co-activity from him would prompt moving toward the press. This is on the grounds that there are as of now gauges set up to manage an unnatural weather change, which makes it unreasonable to chance murdering 200,000 every year in Hover-Vehicle mishaps despite the fact that they will dispense with a worldwide temperature alteration. My own moral way of thinking comes from the idea of doing unto others as you would they to you, guided by the scriptural educating of cherishing one’s neighbor as you love yourself. In this manner, in the event that I had the subsequent ring, the main thing I would consider is the thing that someone else would do to me in the event that they had it. Not wanting damage for myself, I would, thusly, not hurt anybody with the ring. The idea of morals illuminates on the resistance and suggestion of right lead instead of wrong (Vendemiati, 2004). This assists with clarifying this invented

STAR Interviewing Response Technique for Success in Behavioral Job Interviews

STAR Interviewing Response Technique for Success in Behavioral Job Interviews Behavioral questions are one of the most common types of interview questions you’ll encounter. No matter what the industry is, you’re bound to have a few of those thrown at you when you enter a job interview.So, how do you handle them and what are they really about? In this guide, you’ll encounter a strategy that’s the most effective in terms of answering a behavioral question: the STAR technique.We’ll go over:What STAR stands for?What are behavioral questions?How can STAR help with behavioral questions?What are the steps to crafting a STAR response to a behavioral question?Finally, we’ll look at a few examples to help you get started.SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, RESULTLet’s start by examining the STAR concept. It consists of four different elements, each of which can be considered a single step in your answer. It gives structure to your answer and helps you move from one important element to another, providing a thorough answer to the question at hand.The four elements of the STAR concept are:SITUATIONThe first component examines the context of your answer. You answer the question of “What were the circumstances of the thing?” and lay the foundation for the answer. You use this component as the basis, explaining in detail what kind of situation you’re about to describe.TASKYour second component in the STAR technique involves the responsibility you had in that environment. You try answering the question “What was the thing you had to do?” and outline the desired outcome. The component is not looking at what you did but rather what was expected in this situation.ACTIONYou then move on to describe the things you did to start solving the situation. You answer the question “What were the steps you took?” by showing in detail what your actions were in order to solve the task ahead of you. The component is focused on your specific actions and reasoning for those actions â€" it’s about the actual things that happened and not what should have happened.RESULTFinally, the last component of the STAR technique is the outcome aspect of it all. You seek to explain an answer to the question “What happened as a result of your actions?” and what your accomplishment or lessons learned were. The focus is on the details of the outcome and an understanding of how your actions in the previous component led to this specific outcome.By following these four components, you create a coherent, concise and detailed answer for any behavioral question you may face.THE COMMON BEHAVIOURAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONSWhen you have a group of people working towards a common mission, such as in the workplace, the employers want to know how employees will react to different circumstances. Being a good employee is not just about being able to technically perform in the role (i.e. to have the right skills) but to also be able to handle the situations that arise with the role (i.e. to have the right characteristics).Here’s a list of some of the most comm on behavioral questions:Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours.Tell me about a situation you wish you’d handled differently with a colleague?Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectation. What happened and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?How do you prioritise?Tell me about a time you’ve been under a lot of pressure. What happened and how did you handle the situation?Tell me about a time when you failed/succeeded? How did you deal with the situation?Tell me about a time when you set a goal for yourself? What was is and how did you make sure to achieve it?How do you handle managing responsibilities?Give me an example of a time you’ve persuaded someone.Tell me about a time when you were faced with a conflict. What did you do?How do you motivate yourself?What is your biggest achievement?Behavioral questions are asked to reveal three core things:How you handle specific si tuationsHow you thinkHow you compare with the other candidatesThis allows the interviewer to understand more about you as a candidate. Behavioral questions move deeper into the personality and talent you’d bring to the workplace and beyond just your technical ability to perform in the role.When you’re asked behavioral questions, the interviewer is essentially trying to find out three things about your behavior.First, they want to know how you’ve behaved in previous real-world situations. This is important because behavioral questions are not about imaginary situations â€" the interviewer is not looking to know how you would behave in a certain situation but how you have behaved.For example, a common behavioral question is to ask:Tell me about a mistake that you’ve made. How did you handle it?They don’t ask:What would you do if you ever made a mistake?The second point to remember is that the questions are looking to understand the value you’ve added to this actual situati on. The interviewer wants to know what you did and how your direct actions influenced the outcome. It’s not about what the organization did, the team did or anyone else present did â€" your actions and behaviors are what matter here.For instance, another common behavioral question is to ask:Give me an example of a difficult problem you’ve solved. How did you do it?Again, they are asking about your actions and the behaviors and actions you took to overcome the situation.Finally, the third point the interviewer is focusing on is how you define and analyze different workplace situations. This allows them to compare you to other candidates and to analyze your fit to the work environment. What this essentially means is to check how you define things like ‘failure’, ‘mistake’, and ‘success’.For example, when the interviewer asks a common behavioral question like:Can you tell me about a challenging situation you overcame at work?They aren’t just looking for you to talk ab out the actual steps and actions you took. The interviewer is also interested in seeing what kind of situation you define to be a challenge.Different people can consider very different workplace scenarios as ‘challenge’. For example, someone might talk about how the fax machine broke down while others might go on about the time a big client refused to pay.The point is not that there is necessarily a right or wrong way to define things. But it’s more about understanding your fit for the ‘pressure’ the work environment would provide.Overall, there isn’t really a right or a wrong answer to behavioral questions. Since the answer also has to be about an actual behavior you’ve shown and deal with a real-life situation, you can’t really ever find example answers that you can use.However, what you can do is use strategies that help to answer the question in the most effective way and this is why the STAR method is such a powerful thing.HOW CAN THE STAR TECHNIQUE HELP?There i s a concept and saying in psychology that says, “the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior”. This idea is behind behavioral questions and the reason STAR works so well in answering those questions.STAR looks at what you’ve done in the past in specific situations and therefore, gives the employer a window into your possible future actions. The employer can consider these together with your skills and make a balanced judgment on how well you’d be able to perform in that role.If you remember from the previous section, the interviewer is looking for three core things:How you have behaved in an actual situationHow you’ve added value to solving or dealing with that situationHow you define different common workplace situationsNow, with the STAR method, you are answering those points directly.Remember that STAR will make you:Define the SITUATION by giving the interviewer context for when you engaged in a specific behavior they are asking about. Here you are showing th e interviewer how you define the specific workplace situations they are asking about. For example, if they ask, “Tell me about a challenge you’ve overcome?” then you will not only outline the real-life situation you dealt with, but you will also show the way you define something as ‘a challenge’.Then you move on to talk about the TASK. These are the responsibilities you had in that situation. You show what your role and value was from the onset â€" you not only show what was expected of you but also discuss what you thought were expected of you. Again, you dig deeper into how you define these situations and you show how you understand your role in them.You will next highlight the ACTION. This is to show your behavior deeper and to talk about the steps you took in that specific situation to overcome it or to solve it. This needs to be detailed and concise, showing the interviewer exactly how you behaved and acted in the situation. You want to highlight each action you took and explain the reasoning behind it. Again, this is to help the interviewer to see how your past behavior would manifest in the future, in this particular position.Now, the final part is to mention the RESULTS. These are the outcomes that took place due to your behavior and actions. You show the interviewer the value you brought in reality and what the tangible results of your actions were. In addition, you want to show your understanding of what lead to those results and your ability to learn from the situation. You need to highlight your understanding of what actions lead to what outcomes and how these can help in any specific work situation.See how powerful the STAR method is? You just used it to answer all the things the interviewer wants to see when they ask behavioral questions. You show then in action how you’ve been and acted in the past to help them analyze your ability to perform in the specific role in the future.You make it easier for them to compare you with others †" they get real examples of behavior that help them evaluate the skills and the fit.3 STEPS TO PREPARE FOR BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS WITH STARSo, how can you start using STAR to your advantage? You now have a great grasp of:The concept of STARThe reasons behavioral questions are askedThe concrete ways STAR helps to answer those questionsNow it’s time to start practicing your answers. Preparing and thinking about what answers would be good will help you nail the interview â€" you’ll have the confidence to talk about your skills and more importantly, you know just the kind of skills you need to be talking about.As we’ll discuss soon, the behavioral questions the interviewer ask will always be linked with the specifics of the role and the company. The interviewer knows the kind of skills they want the candidate to have, the challenges they’ll be faced with and so on.Now it’s the candidate’s job to show that they do have those skills, they do know how to overcome those specific c hallenges and so on.So, how do you go about ensuring your behavioral question follows the STAR strategy and highlights the right qualifications and skills for the job?Here are three simple steps to take to prepare for behavioral questions with STAR.1. Make a list of your skills and your experiencesYou should start by creating a list of your skills and experiences. These should be essential for performing well and succeeding in the role you are applying for.What this means is not just listing skills and qualifications you have â€" as you will have many of them! The point is to focus on those core skills that you need in this particular role.In order to figure out what those are, you need to look at the job listing. You should read it, underlining any skill and experience the employer mentions. Then write them down in the below chart:THE SKILLS THE EMPLOYER IS LOOKING FOR:You can list as many and as few as needed. The key is to find those core skills and characteristics that would hel p you in the role and the specific work environment.You can then move on to focusing on the skills you have. The dream is to be able to manifest those exact skills. So you could simply underline the ones you know you have in green.But consider also other skills you have that the employer hasn’t mentioned but which you know would help. These could be closely related to the skills the employer mentions and transferable skills you have.MY BEST SKILLS TO HELP PERFORM AND TO SUCCEED IN THIS ROLE:2. Pick an example of a time you showcased that skill or experienceNow, you have the skills listed. You know what the employer is looking for and the skills your answers should highlight. It is time to show those skills in action.The next step is about matching each of those skills with a real-life example. You want to find the SITUATION in STAR. You want to pick something you’ve done, dealt with, accomplished and so on â€" to give the context to your skill and characteristics.At this point, you don’t have to consider STAR just yet. You simply want to have a rough idea of an example that highlights a skill. Indeed, it’s a good idea to have two examples for a single skill to ensure you can showcase single skill in different ways â€" depending on the question, you can pick the more suited answer then.Of course, it will be even better if you can find an example of a situation that’s similar to something you might deal with in your new role. For example, if the job involves a lot of customer service, then try to come up with examples that highlight your skills and experience of actual customer service situations.So use the below chart to list the skills and characteristics you have and then match them with suitable real-life examples.THE SKILLSTHE EXAMPLE3. Write down the STAR functionsFinally, it’s time to bring out the STAR template and go through each of your examples, giving them the STAR treatment. What you can do is use the below template, filling in the impor tant points as you go along.SKILL AND EXAMPLE SITUATION:SITUATIONWho? What? Where? When? How?TASKWhat were the deadlines? What were the costs? What did it involve? What was required?ACTIONWhat did you do? What steps did you take? How did you take them?RESULTWhat happened? Why did it happen?You can use the questions as guidance when writing your answer.At this point, you can write is as close to an oral answer you might give. You can even sample some of the most common behavioral questions with your answers. The key is to learn to highlight your skill, use real examples as your answers, and master the STAR strategy.Of course, you don’t want to learn the answers by heart and simply read them off like a script when at the interview. However, it still helps to practice the strategy and to think about the examples beforehand â€" it helps you give a good answer confidently.A FEW EXAMPLE BEHAVIOR JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND STAR RESPONSESTo bring it all home, it’s a good idea to examin e a few examples. Here are three core behavioral questions that are almost unanimously asked in job interviews. Below you can also find an example answer to the question, highlighting the STAR strategy.The Question: Tell me about a time when you showed leadership. What did you do?The STAR answer:In my previous job, we had multiple requests for customer follow-ups after we held a conference (SITUATION). Due to one of our team members being sick, we started having a large backlog and customers complained that we’re taking too long to get back to them (TASK). I realized some of the customers had said they’d be OK if we follow-up on the weekends, so I asked one of the team members to contact the list first and to setup interviews for weekend, if possible. I then worked on the weekend to clear the backlog (ACTION). We ended up clearing the list and acquired 8 new customers, with $100,000 in new sales (RESULT).The Question: Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?The STAR answer:Once I misquoted a fee for the club I was working in which resulted in the customer paying the wrong fee (SITUATION). I realized my mistake and wanted to rectify the situation (TASK). I told the manager and they appreciated my honesty. We talked that we should waive the fee for the first three months for the new member and give him the option to cancel. I then contacted the person and went over the situation with them (ACTION). The person accepted my apology and decided to still stay with the club. I felt bad about the mistake but my manager’s calm and understanding approach helped me deal with the situation and I learnt to double check the things I now do (RESULT).The Question: Give an example of a goal you’ve reached and how you achieved it.The STAR answer:When I first started working at ZYX, I wanted to make the most sales of the month, which was a light-hearted competition our management had set (SITUATION). It wasn’t an official objective, but I felt like it would challenge me to quickly learn the ropes and perform well at my job (TASK). I focused on customer service and communication, as I felt it gave me the best chance of boosting sales. I talked with customers, better realizing their pain points and therefore, finding ways we could help them (ACTION). I ended up winning the competition within six months of starting â€" the fastest anyone had done it. I beat the next person by $100,000 and I felt proud of my achievement. Not just with beating the competition but also about taking the time to better serve the customers (RESULT).WITH STAR YOU CAN BE THE STAR OF THE JOB INTERVIEWBehavioral questions are an essential part of the job interview. They are used to look at you more closely and to analyze your fit in the organization â€" they show the interview who you are and what you’ve done in order to make certain predictions about your performance in the role.And when it comes to answering these essential questions, the STAR method is one of the best to use. It highlights just the right elements of your past performance and gives your answers the right kind of structure and level of detail.So, go over the tips and strategies in this guide and nail your next job interview!

Night Essence of Nature a Poem Compossed by Louise Bogan...

What is the significance of an individual’s essence within the vast universe? Surrounded in an environment where all life resides do humans play the role of hegemony? Each human is unique, separated by interactions and relationships compiled throughout the journey of life. But, no matter how these experiences could shape an individual, the most basic pillars of life will always endure. All humans share land on this planet, breathe the same air, and are equally mortal. Composed by Louise Bogan, the role of humanity is put into perspective in the poem, â€Å"Night.† The speaker emphasizes nature’s immense presence in the universe. As the plot of â€Å"Night† develops, the interconnected relationships found in nature are revealed, using imagery to show†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Where what breathes, breathes / and what drinks, drinks,† the persona says (3,5). Natures relationships depicted in the first stanza are beautiful. At first, something as simple as the â€Å"islands† may seem unimportant (1). Once analyzed, its purposed is defined by providing a warm home for life to sustain. Without the â€Å"restless wind† and â€Å"incoming tide,† the animals could not sustain (4,6). Everything in the universe is interconnected. As the poem continues into the second and third stanza the persona uses imagery as a tool to express natures power. From the water to the sky, Bogan’s poem describes how nature will continue to outlast humanity, thriving under a repeated cycle of life. Compared to the conditions described in â€Å"Night,† all human endeavors are naturalized. Line seven and eight explains, â€Å"shell and weed / wait upon the salt wash of the sea.† Long before the story of Adam and Eve, nature represented a powerful force of life and sustainment. Over thousands of years of tides, the â€Å"shell and weed† described by the auditor, are conditioned to expect resources from exterior conditions (7). Systematically, the universe provides nature will all conditions necessary for survival. A miracle. Even the â€Å"stars† located in outer space have a role as they swing their lights westward / to set behind the land†, the speaker suggests (9-11). Using imagery, the au ditor is able to understand the universe attains limits much greater then humanity. Thomas Edison is credited

The Religious Symbolism and Architecture of Angkor Wat and...

Introduction Built by the Khmers between 802 and 1220 AD, the ancient temples of Angkor Wat exist as the remaining relics of a historically and religiously rich city. While many other historical and religious structures in Cambodia have disappeared due in part from being constructed out of vulnerable materials like wood, Angkor Wat still remains as a symbol of the divinity of its former kings, as well as for the palace itself. Likewise, Indonesia’s Borodubur temples exist as the single remaining structures of the city. The temples of Angkor Wat and Borodubur hold several similarities within architecture and symbolism, both being heavily based on religious belief. However, different features within both structures, architecturally and†¦show more content†¦Decorative elements through out the towers and galleries present their own characteristics and fulfill specific needs within the temple. The towers are formed into the shape of the ever-popular lotus buds, and the galleries are us ed to expand the many passageways of the temple. Also, the axial galleries within the temple are used to connect several enclosures. Characteristic decorative components of Angkor Wat include narrative and historical bas-reliefs, pediments, and devatas. The bas-reliefs located in the gallery of Angkor Wat holds a special signification for Angkor Wat. The gallery displays heaven and the underworld in which garudas and lions are holding the celestial palaces. These gerudas indicate that the palaces were floating in heaven, comparing Angkor Wat to the palaces of the Gods. This display furthers the idea that Angkor Wat acts as a liason between the world of Heaven and Earth. Because the palace physically remains on earth but spiritually resides within heaven, the palace acts as communal place for believers to gather. The bas-reliefs and pictures did not only serve to decorate the palaces, or depict stories of the past. They hold the important task of transforming the palace into a â€Å"celestial dwelling† or heavenly place. Further evidence to support this notion is

When Everything Changed Free Essays

I slowly looked around, detached from reality. The news hit me like a formidable black train. Silence  coated the room filled of  anxious yet unusually quiet cheerleaders like a heavy snow on the mountain peaks from where we came from. We will write a custom essay sample on When Everything Changed or any similar topic only for you Order Now Every familiar face I could  find grew cold and stern. All hopes of  a  national title flew out of the window before the judges could even  mutter  the two words  that brought our world crashing down. â€Å"Illegal stunts. † Nine months of sweat and tears, 4  years of commitment, all brought down in a matter of moments. Less than ten  minutes  before my final  national high school cheerleading competition and all the  work my  team and I put into our flawless routine no  longer mattered. We had ten  minutes to  recreate a near-impossible routine and preform it for over 600 people. How  could our  coaches not know our routine was filled with illegal stunts? More  importantly why did we  travel  1,997 miles to be humiliated? I knew in that moment that the hard work, sweat, and tears that were supposed to pay off with a shiny gold metal and an adorable white silk national champ jacket, came down to one thought: â€Å"Can we pull this together? Before we could even wrap our heads around the situation that was being presented to us my team and I were being hastily rushed toward the overwhelming maze of two-story black curtains. I could hear the abundant crowd roaring on the other side. Our parents, eagerly waiting, had no clue the panic that was now instilled within us. Scott, my teams’ choreographer, sashayed through the groups of cheerleaders toward us. â€Å"Good luck, Ladies† he muttered, â€Å"Sorry about the sudden changes in your routine†¦I†¦ I didn’t think anything was illegal. † At wit’s end, I huddled my team together. Taking turns, my co-captains and I shared some inspirational words and started singing our team song: â€Å"Lean on Me. † Suddenly, we were united on stage in front of hundreds of people. Blinded by the spotlights in front of me, I glanced to my right only to see my coach. She clung to the side of the raised stage, barely able to see over, her emotions written all over her face, frustrated and scared. At that moment I knew she was just as nervous as we were. The moment all the hours practicing, the sore muscles, the obsession over cheerleading for 9 months straight was about to pay off, BOOM. The music was on and muscle memory kicked in. One dance step after another just happened without any thought. As the dance portion of the routine was over and the cheer portion slowed to an end, I knew our final pyramid was coming soon. Panic. No one was where she needed to be. It seemed as if we were ants being watched through a magnify glass, scurrying about with no real direction. Rushed and confused, we threw together what we could. â€Å"We can do this! † I shouted to the girls. Finally some sanity as my bases threw me into the air, only to realize the other half of the team was struggling. I was always taught to just keep going, so that’s what I did. The music continued to build, and the newly changed portion was finally here. My bases, consisting of my fellow captains, pushed me into the air. I reached out for the flyer next to me. Only there was no flyer next to me, and without her, none of this would work. I glanced over after hearing gasps come from the audience, only to see half my team on the ground, struggling and fighting to pull themselves up. The music ended. Silence. The last impression the judges and the crowd saw of us was complete pandemonium. First place was out of the question. â€Å"With a routine like that, you will be lucky to make it any further. † Our coaches starred at each of us as we walked shamefully backstage to watch our routine on the big TV monitor. One 8-count at a time we watched our dreams unfold and come crashing down, literally. Knowing that it wasn’t completely our fault, we joined the crowd to watch the rest of the competing teams. In the proceeding moments we learned that without the falls at the end, our routine was perfect– filled with smiling faces, tight dance moves, and a high level of difficulty. Due to those minor mistakes, however, our trip to Orlando was over without reward. The following morning, disappointed and heartbroken, my teammates and I boarded our flight back to the mountains. Looking back now, the memories created are irreplaceable whether good or bad. Sometimes all the hard work and effort doesn’t pay off in the way we hope for. Left with disappointed dreams, my duties as a cheer-captain were over and I was left with memories and a group of friends who could never be replaced. I didn’t get that national title, but at least we made it that far, which is more than many young girls could even hope for. How to cite When Everything Changed, Papers

Flawed Perfection free essay sample

Trying to achieve moral perfection, he creates a chart listing thirteen names of virtues and their precepts as a guideline for his self-examination (Franklin, 135). He Though I believe Franklins Intentions were of good gesture, the plan he devised was flawed due to basic human nature, lack of emotion, and different interpretations of what perfection is. As humans, it is sometimes in our nature to make mistakes. Sometimes we are influenced in our decision-making by who we are as a person, our Individuality or/and outside forces. I work as a 911 dispatcher here In Valletta, Georgia.We are taught that there Is no room for error. One wrong decision could cost someone their lives. However, there are days when I Just feel extremely tired at work or maybe even annoyed. I might be dealing with some stressful situations that may cause me to be a little distracted at work. I am trained to answer Incoming phone calls a Bristol 2 certain way, ask certain imperative questions, and to always be courteous. I might receive a call from someone who is very upset about something and therefore takes their frustration out on me.They may use profanity towards me or even hang up the hone because I am asking too many questions. I have had that situation happen to me several times and I become upset. I could have empathetic with the caller and tried harder to calm them down. Instead, after hanging up the phone, I may call that person inconsiderate or have other choice words. The next caller may be someone who Is In a more serious situation such as their house Is on fire or they were Just involved in a very serious car accident. Because I am distracted from the previous caller, I may forget to Asian imperative question like, What intersection are you near?In forgetting to ask this question, first responders may be sent to an incorrect location or may have difficulty flying the caller, and therefore, slow down the response time It may take to get that person help. In that scenario, I have already broken several of Franklins virtues: silence, resolution, sincerity, Justice, and tranquility (134). I have broken the virtue of silence because have spoken something out of anger; it was not beneficial to me or anyone else. I have broken the virtue of resolution because I failed to resol ve the conflict between me and the first caller, Hough I understood that their frustration was not really with me. I have broken the virtue of sincerity because I did not have innocent or Just feelings towards the first injury to the second caller because I had not fulfilled all of my duties. I was distracted and caused increased danger or harm to someone else. I have broken the virtue of tranquility because I allowed myself to become upset in the first place, instead of remaining calm and handling the situation in a different manner. Bristol 3 Franklins plan also lacked consideration of emotion. We are not robots. We have linings and thoughts, and sometimes are governed by those emotions or thoughts.As a dispatcher, I work twelve hour shifts. We also work rotating shifts, switching from nights to days or days to nights, every twenty-eight days. My schedule makes it very hectic to sometimes adapt to a certain sleep schedule. It can also make me very moody and unpleasant to be around. I am a single mother of two, and my children demand a lot of my time and attention as well. When I am on a night shift rotation, most days I am only able to get about five to six hours of interrupted sleep. I have to et my five year old daughter off the school bus in the afternoon.My son comes home about an hour later. I am helping with homework, packing their overnight bags, and cooking dinner before I have to report back to work that evening. On my days off from work, my body is still on a night shift schedule, therefore causing me to sleep most of the day and be up all night. I have a three bedroom house. There are many times where I am too tired to dust, or too tired to vacuum. At times my house may remain in disarray until I have the energy or the time to attend to it. Often times, I am also too tired to cook.I may have food in my freezer, but Just decide to eat out to avoid having to cook and wash dishes later. I have now broken several more of Franklins virtues: order, frugality, and cleanliness. Order, because I allow my house to be in disarray and have at times kept my business out of order. Frugality, because instead of cooking something I already have in my freezer Ill choose to eat out to avoid cooking and having to clean up later. Cleanliness, because there are times when my house is dusty or needs to be vacuumed and Ill allow it to stay this way until I have the energy to attend to it.In addition to no regard for basic human nature and lack of emotion, Franklins plan is also flawed because different people have a different interpretation of what they think perfection Bristol 4 is. Franklin clearly had different views than what many people have today about what perfection is. Franklin created a list of some of the virtues he considered to be things that would help him achieve moral perfection, but who is to say that his interpretation of what he believed to be morally right is the s ame as others or mine? No two people are alike. We all have different thoughts and beliefs.What Franklin deemed to be moral may not be the same as what I consider to be moral, and my thoughts on morality may be different from others. Some of the virtues Franklin listed were temperance, industry, and chastity (134). He believed one should refrain from eating too much and getting drunk. He believed we should always be employed in doing something useful and not wasting any time. He also believed we should rarely engage in sexual intercourse except for health reasons or to produce children. He felt one should not engage in sex simply because of pleasure or because of weakness. I am one who enjoys extracurricular activities outside of working every day. I enjoy watching my favorite television programs or Just surfing the internet. I may enjoy a glass of wine or two or more at dinner. I enjoy romantic evenings with my boyfriend and being intimate with him, and I have no intentions of having any more children. As a single mom who works a stressful Job I enjoy having down time when the opportunity presents itself. Am I immoral and wrong to enjoy such things? According to Franklins interpretation of what is morally right, I have broken these virtues. I do to believe I am wrong for enjoying these simple pleasures. What I believe to be morally right is different from Franklins. Some may agree with him, or some may agree with me. Some may have a different opinion entirely. No one person can set the standard for what is right for that person. We all have a different idea of what we consider to be perfect. Bristol 5 Though I admire Benjamin Franklin for attempting to devise a plan for moral perfection, I believe that plan was flawed. Our basic human nature, emotions and thoughts, and our different ideas of what perfection is may cause us to make less Han perfect decisions and live less than perfect lives, according to what other people may think. I still believe his chart could be used as a tool for a model of self examination. However, I think it is unrealistic to think that we will govern our lives according to this plan every single day of our lives. We are humans. We are bound to make mistakes, no matter how good our intentions. We sometimes react on emotion, we arent robots. We dont Just follow commands and orders every day. We also may see nothing wrong with enjoying certain pleasures in life that others may think is ring. What is morally right for one person may not necessarily be right for someone else.Who is to say that one person sets the standard for everyone else in what is right and perfect? Franklins plan is Just not something that we would be able to realistically follow. There are certain things that would need to be taken into consideration and a standard set for what perfection is. Because we know people may have different views of perfection, are sometimes governed by their emotions, or react based on outside influences or their own individuality, this plan would be very official to follow and therefore flawed.Bristol 6 Langford, 42, In-Text Citations, (208) Franklin, Benjamin. Arriving at Perfection. Fifty Great Essays. De. Robert Danni. Boston: Longing, 2011. 133-136. Print A lot of thought, additional brainstorming, and proofreading went into this revision. Though I did not really receive any peer reviews from my peers (according to the three questions we were told to include in our reviews), I knew that I needed to work on my last example of how Franklins plan for perfection was flawed.I took out the dead of it not being relevant to our time and incorporated a totally different idea. I brainstormed this idea and came up with supporting text to back up this idea. I also made notes to remind myself to include in-text citations. I read my essay out loud to myself to make sure that it sounded correct to me in the way that I wrote it, checking for run-on sentences and fragment sentences. I am pleased with how it turned out. I was a bit worried of how I would be able to incorporate the new ideas and make it cohesive with some of the text already written in paragraph four.

At Daybreak On The First Day Of September, 1939, The Residents Essays

At daybreak on the first day of September, 1939, the residents of Poland awakened to grave news. A juggernaut force of tanks, guns, and countless grey-clad soldiers from nearby Germany had torn across the countryside and were making a total invasion of the Poles homelands. Germanys actions on that fateful morning ignited a conflict that would spread like a wildfire, engulfing the entire globe in a great world war. This scenario is many peoples conception of how World War II came about. In reality, the whole story is far more detailed and complex. The origins of war can be traced as far back as the end of the first World War in 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles placed responsibility for that terrible war squarely on Germany. Years later, in the Far East, Japanese ambition for territory led the nation to invade Manchuria and other parts of nearby China, causing hostilities to flare in the Pacific Rim. Great Britain, the United States, and many other nations of the world would all be drawn into battle in the years to come, and each nation had its own reason for lending a hand in the struggle. Although Germany was the major player in World War II, the seeds of war had already been planted in the Far East years before conflict in Europe. On September 18, 1931, the powerful Japanese military forces began an invasion of the region known as Manchuria, an area belonging to mainland China. This action broke non-aggression treaties that had been signed earlier. It also was carried out by Japanese generals without the consent of the Japanese government. In spite of this, no one was ever punished for the actions. Soon after the assault on China, the Japanese government decided it had no choice but to support the occupation of Manchuria. By the next year the region had been completely cut off from China (Ienaga 60-64). Because of the Japanese offensive in China, the League of Nations held a vote in October to force Japan out of the captured territory. The vote was passed, 13 to 1, but Japan remained in control of Manchuria. A second vote, taken in February, 1933, a formal disapproval of the Japanese occupation, was passed 42 to 1. Instead of expelling Japan from the area of Manchuria, it caused the nation to formally withdraw its membership in the League of Nations the next month (Ienaga 66). Now unrestrained by the recommendations of the League of Nations, Japan continued its intrusion onto Chinese soil. By 1937 Japan had moved military forces into Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, as well as other regions of China. By 1940, Japanese seizure of territory had spread to deep inside Southeast Asia and even parts of Australia (Sutel et al). Also in 1940, the Triparte Pact was signed, allying Japan, Germany, and Italy into a powerful force that stretched halfway around the planet. The association with Hitler and Germany unified the war in the Pacific and the war in Europe. Japan was now fully involved in what came to be known as World War II. As warfare raged in the Pacific Rim, a chain of events was unfolding that would produce catastrophic results. The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 held Germany fully accountable for the tragedy of World War I. The nation was stripped of large areas of land, its armaments, as well as its dignity. In addition, the reparations that were to be paid to the allied nations virtually destroyed the economy of Germany. The resentment of the treaty burned in the hearts and minds of Germans for years afterward. In 1933, a man by the name of Adolf Hitler was elected Chancellor of Germany after working his way up the ladder of government. By speaking against the Treaty of Versailles and making promises of a better life to the German people, Hitler gained the support of his fellow countrymen, and he easily won the election. Almost immediately after Hitler took office he began securing his position in power. Hitler took steps to eliminate all opposition, including political parties and anyone else who spoke out against him. The death of President Hindenburg in 1934 clinched his high standing, and he in effect became dictator of Germany. Hitler held the titles of Head of State, Commander in Chief of German military forces, Chancellor, and Chief of the Nazi Party (Elliott 57). There was no question of his supremacy. With his empire established, Hitler took steps to rearm Germany, leading the nation down the road to war. In violation of the Treaty of Versailles and a naval treaty

The Nike Company Markets Audit

The Nike Company Markets Audit Executive Summary The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is a wearable technology developed by Nike. Nike is preparing to launch this product to the Australian market. The potential market for the product is 11 million users. The country has a well-developed transport infrastructure that can support a countrywide distribution network.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on The Nike Company Markets Audit specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This market is also very culturally diverse. The main avenue for communication with the target market is via television and the internet. To enter the Australian market successfully, it is important to get information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Stock Exchange. Market Audit and Competitive Market Analysis The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is a piece of wearable technology launched by Nike as the successor to the Nike+ app for smartphones. Nike would like to market this product t o the Australian market. This paper presents various facets of the Australian market relevant to the marketing of this product. Product Analysis of the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is a unique product in the Australian market. The table below analyses various aspects of the product about the target market. Product Characteristic Analysis Relative Advantage The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS has a unique collection of features that is ideal for personal training. These features include GPS, calorie counter, various pace counters, a watch, a heart rate monitor, among others . Very few products have all these features. Compatibility The target market is already using portable devices such as iPods, and mobile phones as sports accessories. The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS will fit easily into this lifestyle. Complexity The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS has features that are familiar to the target market. The training needed by users to use the product is minimal because it employs controls f amiliar to users. Trialability The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is easy to wear. This gives it high trialability. Potential customers can try the watch in shops while running or walking on a treadmill, or they can try it outdoors during their regular workouts. Observability The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is a wristwatch. This makes it visible when running and when participating in exercises of any kind. In this regard, users can observe its performance as they exercise. Table 1: Analysis of the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS The first problem associated with the product is that the market already has access to the features it provides in various forms. Some potential customers may choose to stick to what they already have. Secondly, the device lacks music. Many people enjoy running and exercising as they listen to music. This may lead to resistance in the uptake of the gadget. Analysis of the Australian Market The target area for the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is the Australian Market. Australia is a uniq ue market because it is the only country found on a single continent. The country has a population of 22 million people found mainly in cities (ABS, 2014). Australia is the most urbanized country in the world, with more than 85% of its population found in cities (ABS, 2014).Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Australia has a well-developed transport and communication infrastructure linking its main population centers. The country has several categories of roads linking various population centers. The country also has a rail network, which serves mining communities. Also, the country has a well-developed air transport system. The Australian market is very complex because of cultural diversity (Forsyth, 2005). This affects the buying behavior of many consumers. Many residents from the middle and upper classes have a strong consumer culture. Those from lower economi c classes do not have sufficient disposable income to support a consumer culture. The product preference in the Australian market about the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is mainly its health benefits. Many Australians are keen on healthy living because of robust health campaigns by the federal and state governments. The shopping habits of Australian residents also vary widely. At a national level, people spend more on recreational items during the holiday seasons. The typically retain outlets in Australia resemble many of the retail outlets found in the Western World. Australia is also becoming entrenched in the mall culture. Malls and large shopping complexes made up of a variety of stores are a defining feature of many Australian cities (Kull, 2003). The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS can sell well in exclusive stores or in stores that deal with electronics. In particular, the watch can sell well in outlets selling phones and computers. However, the health benefits of the watch and its application t o sports means that vendors and retail outlets selling sports gear and gym equipment can also distribute the watch. Television is still a very influential medium for reaching any target market in Australia. However, online marketing methods such as the use of email marketing, paid up ads as well as dedicated websites is gaining traction as a marketing platform in Australia (Kull, 2003). This is because three-quarters of all Australians have access to the internet (ABS, 2014). The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is a new product, and it may not fit easily into a traditional sales promotion model. The best sales promotion method is allowing consumers to try the product and to make a decision to buy based on their experience.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on The Nike Company Markets Audit specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The average markup for clothes and shoes in Australia is 145% (ABS, 2014). The average markup for electric al and electronic goods is 85%. The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is both a wearable electronic device. Therefore the markup for the product will lie somewhere between 85% and 145% (ABS, 2014). Trade discounts are available for customers that buy the product within a specified period after its release. Quantity discounts will accrue to vendors who want to stock large quantities of the watch for resale. Competitor Analysis The main competitor for Nike+ Sportwatch GPS is the Garmin Forerunner and the myriad Smartphone apps that have the same features. The Garmin Forerunner has a heart rate monitoring function as an accessory, vibration alerts, and easy navigation systems. The watch is also compatible with other wearable sports devices. A Garmin Forerunner unit costs AUD 449 (Garmin, 2014). This unit does not come with the premium heart rate monitor. The addition of the monitor pushes the price to AUD 499 (Garmin, 2014). A complete Garmin Forerunner package contains the following accessories. T he box has a Forerunner 910 XT, USB ANT Stickâ„ ¢, AC charger, charging clip, expander strap, and a manual (Garmin, 2014). The advertising model used to market the Garmin Forerunner includes online marketing strategies, use of electronic media adverts, and advertising in technology magazines. Consumers buy the Garmin Forerunner in high-end luxury stores, sportswear stores, and in electronics shops. Also, consumers can buy the watch online. The online distribution model is the most effective way of selling the product (Moisander Valtonen, 2006). Statistics show that 75% of Australians who have access to the internet do some of their shopping online (ABS, 2014). Market Size The total population of Australia is 22 million (ABS, 2014). The target group for the product is adults aged 25-65 (ABS, 2014). This group is not only health conscious but also has the requisite buying power to purchase the product. Therefore, the absolute size of the potential market is 54% of the Australian p opulation (ABS, 2014). The target sale for the next year is 500,000 units. This is 40% of the expected industry sales in the next year.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Most of the products from the competitors have already been in the market. It will not be easy to usurp their market share. However, the trend in the wearable technology industry is that products that are more recent tend to have greater market share until usurped by newer products (Dalic, 2007). Government Participation in the Market Place The agencies that can help in the process of getting a marketing plan for the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS include the following. First, the Australian Bureau of Statistics is an ideal source of information on demographics, which can help in the determination of market trends. Secondly, the stock market is also a very important source of information on the Australian market. A fair view of the technology counters is important in assessing the prevailing market conditions as well as the long-term prospects of investing in this sector (Donaldson, 1986). The third agencies of importance are the regional chamber of commerce in various parts of the country. T he regulations that must guide this venture include the following. First, it is important to observe the Australian competition regulations, as well as the advertising laws. Also, it is important to check on the rules that govern the sale and marketing of the international product. The product must meet health and safety standards in the country. Also, the product must get quality assurance certificates from the Australian Bureau of Standards. References ABS. (2014). Australia Bureau of Statistics. Web. Dalic, T. (2007). Globalisation of Marketing Strategies in Light of Segmentation and Cultural Diversity. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag. Donaldson, B. (1986). Customer Service: The Missing Dimension in Marketing Management. Journal of Marketing, 2(1), 133-144. Forsyth, P. (2005). Competition Versus Predation in Aviation Markets: A Survey of Experience in North America, Europe and Australia. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing. Garmin. (2014). Forerunner 910XT. Web. Kull, K. (2003). The Model of Internet-Based Marketing Communication. Tallinn: Tallinn Technical University. Moisander, J., Valtonen, A. (2006). Qualitative Marketing Research: A Cultural Approach. London: Sage. Nike. (2014). Nike+ Sportwatch GPRS. Web.

The book the killer angels Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The book the killer angels - Essay Example The story is characterized in a way that it is told from the  perspectives  of various  protagonists. Thus, this battle, fought for both freedom as well as the way of life, proved to be a very tough one as is shown by history. Michael Shaara (1928-88) was an eminent American author, was known for his fiction works based on the fields of science, sports fiction as well as history. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, to an Italian family who had immigrated to America. He completed his graduation in the year 1915 from the Rutgers University. An important part of his life was his rendering of service to the 82nd Airborne division as a very determined and courageous sergeant. Shaara always harboured the desire to transform his feelings and emotions into words, and this influenced him to author a story of historical significance, which portrayed exactly what the people felt about the war. Therefore, the story is an insight into what the emotions and feelings people had under the situation of war and also what was the cause for the war. Summary: ‘The Killer Angels’ is an apt example of how language and writing can change the perspectives of people regarding a particular thing. This fictional story about the Civil War and especially the Gettysburg battle of 1863, brings to fore the perceptions of active members in the war, such as the generals and union generals namely: James Longstreet and Robert E. Lee as well as John Buford and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. The story Shaara tells seems to be more informative about the Gettysburg battle than any other non-fiction work on the same. Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, one of the characters in the story, is seen to be a very highly inspiring figure, with â€Å"his Twentieth Maine Infantry Regiment† kept the left flank of the union safe and secure during the second day of the battle (Latham II). It is only with the help of this unit that the people were able to get an upper hand against the reb els at Little Round Top. This novel finds place in the hearts of civil war readers under the category of non-fictional works. This is so due to the fact that the way Shaara has portrayed the characters, there exists a high level of accuracy behind it as compared to the real events. Another reason is that the author has successfully made an account of important turning points that changed the fate of the Battle of Gettysburg. It comes as no surprise that a curious reader will definitely be left with the desire to know more about the battles as well as Civil War described in the novel. There are a lot of people who think that reading history is a process that involves nothing but getting bored, this book is more than enough to prove those notions wrong. The book also opposes another belief that historical writing holds, which is that readers interested in war novels are more inclined to know things from the perspective of the common soldier and not the generals, who are blessed to sta y in the dignified atmosphere of rear headquarters, moving armies around like chess pieces. For anyone who thinks the fighting at Gettysburg was simply a large battle in a big field, Shaara has painted a moving picture of the three-day battle that reveals not only the elaborateness of the  Civil War, but the personal lives and thoughts of the men who fought in it. By taking first-hand accounts written in journals and letters, Shaara has intertwined a piece of historical fiction. The

Gazprom Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Gazprom - Assignment Example By 2002, the government held about 38.37% of share of Gazprom. In the global extent, the organisation represents about 20% of international gas production. In Russia, the organisation regulates about 60% of gas services and generates about 50% of power in the nation. Gazprom is liable for a supporting considerable portion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Russia and delivers about 20% of its revenue to the national budget (Thomas, 2006). However, presently the dominance of Gazprom is under stake and the organisation is also facing challenges in order to stay sustainable in business. 1.1 Terms of Reference Focusing on this aspect, the report is based on the analysis of Gazprom. The objective of the report is to discuss the socio-political issue which is faced by Gazprom in the oil and gas industry. In line with the issues faced by Gazprom, the report also undertakes a SWOT analysis of the organisation. ... In the year 2006, a disagreement emerged between Russia and Ukraine which resulted in cessation of deliveries of natural gas from Russia to Ukraine. Since most of Russia’s gas for Western Europe transports through Ukraine, the disagreement between these two nations resulted in significant reductions in sales of Gazprom to the Western Europe, particularly during the period of high demand for example during cold weather. During similar period, other socio-political problems resulted in reduction of supply of natural gas to America, Georgia and Moldova, bringing about serious issues to fulfil the demand of customers as well as to enhance the profitability (Perovic & et. al., 2006). Gazprom is a unique organisation, because it was basically a department which has become a corporation. Furthermore, it is also highly contentious to understand the level to which Gazprom represents the government and business interests. Gazprom’s mainstream business is export of natural gas whi ch has reduced due to over pricing activities. The subsidiaries of the organisation are being lopped off and sold at increased prices to more active competitors. The dramatic decline of the organisation’s sales is sparked by rapid improvement of American gas supply companies, failure of Gazprom to invest in research and development activities and ignorance of transformation in oil and gas industry. The problems of Gazprom most probably accelerate the difficulty of long run sustainability, where the government has failed to react to the prevailing market situations (Englund & Lally, 2012). 3.2 European Gas Market The gas market of Europe has stagnated because of high prices. Thus, natural gas provided by

The Piper Oil Field Engineering Essay

The Piper Oil Field Engineering Essay Introduction On the night of June the 6th, 1988, an explosion took place on the Piper Alpha oil and gas production platform. It led to a series of fires that eventually melted the platform into the waters of the North Sea, killing a hundred and sixty seven men, and resulting in insurance losses of U.S. $3.4 billion. To date, it remains the worst offshore disaster in the history of the Petroleum industry, defined in terms of both human and financial loss. The images of horror broadcasted from the disaster site, the final tally of human lives lost, and the enormous financial loss shock Occidental Petroleum, the operator of the platform, violently. It has since become worthy of thorough examination, to fully assimilate the numerous lessons it has to offer. Ronin Advanced Systems investigated the events leading up to that night, pinpointing the deficiencies in the fragile Safety Matrix then applied by Occidental Petroleum, in order to provide viable recommendations that can help prevent such accident s from happening in the future and increase the overall Operational Safety of offshore installations. Purpose and Scope The impact of the Piper Alpha disaster on the Petroleum industry was huge. It was on such an unprecedented level that every oil company made it an absolute requirement to document it as a Case Study. The purpose of this research is to isolate the faults and errors carried out by both the management of Occidental Petroleum as well as the crew of Piper Alpha, which directly resulted in the disaster. This report will cover several topics regarding the Piper Alpha offshore production platform, including its location, construction, modification, Safety Matrix and Record, as well as the timeline of the disaster and its aftermath. Throughout the report, we do not include any on-site research from the Piper oil field. Assumptions Our recommendations are based on the assumption that the Piper Alpha disaster could have been completely avoided. This is in turn based on the fact that its management made a series of wrong decisions, which seriously compromised the safety level on board the platform and rendered its crew helpless in face of accidents. The failure of the crew to act appropriately with respect to the sequence of events of the disaster can only be attributed to the failure of Occidentals management. The assumption is also based on the factual and documented deterioration of the safety level on board the platform after its modification to produce gas. Several gas leaks were recorded and a research commissioned by Occidental to investigate the newly installed Gas Lines which found them of extreme risk was ignored. At the end of this report, we will prove without a shred of doubt that the assumption holds; thus, deeming our recommendation worthy of being put into action as soon as possible. Methods The information in this report was compiled from various sources including Lord Cullens Public Inquiry, numerous printed and electronic publications, video footage from the British Royal Air Force helicopters, as well as the numerous support vessels, that were present on site during rescue operations and the accounts of the survivors. Limitations As mentioned earlier, this research is limited to materials and information available in the Public Domain via the Internet, various publications, and recorded video footage. In addition, Ronin Advanced Systems was not able to send any personnel to the disaster site to perform on-location examination due to the following main reasons: The incident happened on July the 6th, 1988. The Piper Alpha offshore production platform melted down to its core. Furthermore, its remains were later detonated and removed by Occidental Petroleum. Piper oil field A hundred and twenty miles from Aberdeen, beneath some of the fiercest waters of the North Sea, lies the Piper oilfield. A joint venture of four companies, known as the OPCAL (short for Occidental Petroleum Caledonia) and led by Occidental Petroleum, obtained a license to explore those waters in 1972, after the British government allowed offshore exploration licenses in 1964 (Miller, 1991). The Piper oil field was discovered in the early months of 1973, prompting OPCAL to commission the construction of the Piper Alpha platform, as well as the pipelines and Onshore Support Installations. Oil production started in late 1976. At its peak, the Piper oilfield produced 30,000 tons of oil daily. Nearby, two more fields were discovered; those were the Tartan and the Claymore oilfields. Two more platforms were commissioned and named after the two fields respectively. The three vast oilfields Piper, Tartan and Claymore are usually referred to collectively as the Piper oilfield. Figure 1: Location of Piper Oilfield with respect to Aberdeen and Flotta Oil Facility As shown in Figure 1, OPCAL built the Flotta oil terminal on the Orkney Islands to collect and process oil from the three massive fields. As the development of the three platforms progressed, more oil and gas lines were laid, resulting in Piper being at the heart of a busy network of pipelines. Its platform acted as both a communication systems hub as well as an oil and gas collection point, before relaying it all onto shore on one main line, namely the Main Oil Line or MOL, which is the line seen connecting the Piper field and Flotta in Figure 1. This report will dedicate an entire subsection to further examine the pipeline network surrounding the Piper oilfield and its neighbouring counterparts. It will also discuss the impacts that network had on the level of Operational Safety on board the Piper Alpha platform and how it actively contributed to its tragic and total eradication off the waters of the North Sea. Piper Alpha Piper Alpha, the platform that exploited the Piper oilfield, stood tall at two hundred metres above seabed. Its sheer size made it seem almost indestructible. It was originally designed for oil production, but was later adapted to produce natural gas as well; a decision that proved to have tragic consequences. Producing almost ten percent of Britains North Sea oil and gas in 1988, Piper Alpha was highly productive. It was deemed a lucrative investment for Occidental Petroleum, shoring millions of dollars annually. It is assumed that at the time of the accident, the platform was the heaviest offshore production rig operating in the North Sea. Figure 2: Piper Alpha Offshore Oil Gas Production Platform Piper Alpha was a fixed platform constructed by McDermott Engineering at Ardesier and UIE at Cherbourg, with sections united at Ardersier during 1975 (Wikipedia, 2010). The platform consisted of four modules (A, B, C and D) separated by Fire-Proofed walls, and arranged such that the most dangerous works such as drilling were as far as possible from the Accommodation Block. At the time of the accident, the platform operated thirty-six well heads using various technologies that were then available. Figure 3, an East-side Elevation of the platform, illustrates its modular design and the locations of the areas of interest to the scope of this report, mainly Modules C, D and the Oil Separation Compartment in Module B. Figure 3: East Elevation of Piper Alpha the impacts of the 1980 Gas module fitting Impact on the platform Layout I Production Level 84 In 1980, a Gas Recovery Module was installed on the Piper Alpha platform. This decision left an unfortunate legacy in its design, as some of the gas compression works had to be sited in Module C, which was later called the Gas Compression Module. Figure 4 illustrates the layout of Production Level 84. It clearly shows how the compression works in Module C were close to many sensitive areas in Module D, such as: the Control Room, the Electrical Power Gas Turbine Generators, the Emergency Diesel Generator, the Fire Pumps Manual Control Panel and some of the Electrical Switch Rooms. The Accommodation Block, where the crewmen lived, was located above Module D, with the Helicopter Pad (or Helideck) on top of it as shown in Figure 3. Figure 4: Production Level 84 Firewalls Hazard: Blast-Proof Walls Since Piper Alpha was initially designed to produce oil, only Fire-Proofed walls were installed to separate its four modules instead of Blast-Proof walls, which are installed on gas production platforms. Figure 4 shows the locations of the Fire-Proofed walls as well as their ratings. The B/C and the C/D walls did not withstand the first explosion. Their failure was the beginning of the end for the platform. Hazard: Fire-Fighting System Piper Alpha was equipped with a state-of-the-art Automatic Fire-Fighting System. It relied on two different sets of pumps for operation; electrically powered and diesel powered. They would suck in huge amounts of seawater via underwater inlets to douse any fires. However, the safety procedures on the platform dictated that the system would be switched over to manual control in case divers were in the water regardless of their locations with respect to the inlets so that they would not get sucked in. That procedure never considered the possibility of a fire or an explosion blocking access to the Manual Control Panel, preventing the crew from operating the pumps and eventually causing the fire to rage unchallenged. ii deck support frame: level 64 Two large gas pumps, designated A and B, were placed in Module C. Those were responsible for pressurizing the produced gas and sending it to the offshore Manifold Compression platform MCP-01, some thirty miles to the North West of Piper Alpha. They were also responsible for providing the gas required for generating Electrical Power that fed the entire platform. They operated in redundancy; i.e. one was operated and the other was put on standby in case the former stopped working. Those two pumps were present on level 68, sixteen levels below production level number 84. Figure 5: Deck Support Frame of Level 68 Location of Pumps A B A pipeline eighteen inches in diameter acted as the Main Gas Line (MGL), carrying the gas production of Piper Alpha to the Manifold Compression Platform, MCP-01. A year later, another eighteen-inch pipeline was extended from the Tartan platform to Piper Alpha, in order to collect gas production from both rigs before sending it on the Main Gas Line to MCP-01. Later on, another sixteen-inch pipeline was extended from Piper Alpha to the Claymore production platform, to feed its onboard Gas Lift System. Hazard: Gas Lines In Figure 5, all gas lines also known as risers were secured with automatic Emergency Safety Valves (ESVs) and Pig Traps to cut off gas flow in an out of the platform in case of emergencies and failures. However, there were no Remotely Operated Shutoff Valves (ROSOVs) on any of the lines that the neighbouring platforms could use in case the ESVs had failed or in case things on Piper Alpha had gone out of control. Moreover, two years prior to June the 6th 1988, Occidental Petroleum commissioned a report to investigate the safety of the platform after the added functionality and pipelines. The report portrayed a fearful image, clearly warning of the dangers of the gas lines. The findings stated that those gas lines would take hours to depressurize, mainly due to their capacities that was defined based on their lengths and diameters. The report went on to speculate that should anything happen to those lines, they could result in a High-Pressure Gas Fire that would be virtually impossi ble to fight. Thus, putting the entire platform at risk, and threatening the lives of its personnel. Impact on the Pipeline network Since the Piper oilfield was the first to be discovered, and Piper Alpha was the first platform to come online, its historic development and that of adjacent fields meant that the platform would become a centre for communication systems, as well as oil transfer, reaching land-based operations (Drysdale Evans, 1998). The belated installation of the Gas Module, and the subsequent extension of Gas Lines, further complicated an already complex network of pipelines interconnecting the three platforms Claymore, Piper Alpha, and Tartan with one another as well as with MCP-01 and the Flotta oil processing facility. Figure 6 shows this complex network of oil and Gas Lines connecting the four platforms and onshore installations. The Main Oil Line (MOL) carried oil from Piper to Flotta. Oil was routed from Tartan to Claymore, via a separate line, and from there it was sent onto the MOL, some thirty-five miles west of Piper. The MOL also carried the main communication cable (originating at Piper Alpha) between the three rigs and Occidentals Control Centre (OCC) on the Orkney Islands. Hazard: Oil Back Pressure The legacy of that design had not only reduced the level of Operational Safety on board of Piper Alpha significantly, but also it had put the entire communication system at risk. The design simply jeopardized losing all cable-based communications with OCC, in case an explosion or a massive rig fire took place. Furthermore, due to the lack of any Remotely Operated Shutoff Valves (ROSOVs) which would prevent the back flow of oil because of pressure differences and/or major failures in the Emergency Safety Valves (ESVs) the design exhibited a Back-Pressure nature that would allow oil from the Tartan and Claymore platforms to flow directly back into Piper Alpha instead of going down the Main Oil Line to shore should Piper Alpha stop pumping oil. That hazard was an important factor in fuelling the oil fire that started in the Oil Separation compartment in Module B on board of the platform in peril. Figure 6: Claymore, Piper, Tartan Pipeline Network spiral to disaster The common image of the disaster can be attributed to a single devastating explosion on board the Piper Alpha. In fact, once it took place, the catastrophe unfolded gradually. During one crucial hour, there were critical moments that it could have been averted. However, an unfortunate series of events led to the total destruction of the platform. On the morning of July the 6th, Pump A was undergoing routine maintenance and its pressure valve was removed for inspection. Another maintenance overhaul, which would have taken two weeks, was scheduled for the same pump but had not begun then. The valve removed was placed between the pump and the gas pipe feeding it. The service crew sealed the pipe with a Blind Flange; a flat metallic disc used to temporarily cover pipes and risers during various routine maintenance jobs. When the Day Shift ended at 6:00 PM, the job was not done. The supervising engineer prepared a Permit-to-Work (PTW) stating that the pressure valve was removed and that the pump should not be started under any circumstance (Wikipedia, 2010). The engineer then headed to the Control Room, where he found the platforms manager busy. He chose not to inform him that Pump A was out of order, and instead signed the new PTW, placed it on the managers desk and left to the Accommodation Block. This was the first critical moment in the timeline of the accident. The failure of the engineer to inform the manager with the serious condition of the pump is nothing but a clear example of terrible lack of communication between colleagues. It showcases a superficial attitude and approach by Occidentals personnel towards Safety. This failure is one of the main reasons of the disaster, if not its main trigger. An hour later, another maintenance job was taking place underwater; divers were carrying out a routine inspection and welding job on one of the pipes. Therefore, and as we explained previously, the Automatic Fire-Fighting System was switched to manual control. This was a safety practice to ensure that divers would not get sucked in through the underwater inlets of the powerful fire extinguishing pumps. It is worth noting that on other platforms Fire-Fighting systems were controlled manually only if divers were very close to the inlets. This practice, which was enforced to ensure the safety of the divers, reduced that of the platform drastically and deprived it from an automated response by the Fire-Fighting System that could have saved it from its fatal doom; yet another critical moment down the course of the horrible disaster. At 9:45 PM, Pump B suddenly stopped and could not be restarted. The pumps were responsible for providing gas to the Gas Turbine Generators, which in turn provided the entire platform with Electrical Power. The sudden stop of Pump B, and the failure to restart it, threatened the total loss of Electrical Power during ongoing drilling operations. This meant that the drilling head could get stuck at enormous costs. The system provided fifteen minutes of backup power, via the Emergency Diesel Generator, during which the only two choices were either restarting Pump B or bringing Pump A online; a crossroads that sent the platform and its crewmen down the spiral to disaster. Pressured as time went by with no success at restarting Pump B, the engineer who was sent down to inspect the pump was forced to consider bringing Pump A online. He returned to the Control Room on level 84 and searched through the PTWs, trying to determine whether Pump A could be started or not. He located the PTW for the General Overhaul that had not started then, yet failed to find the newer one that stated that the pumps pressure valve was removed. He signed off the General Overhaul PTW and returned to level 68 to start Pump A. The reason why the engineer could not find the newer PTW is simple; the pressure valve was in a different location from the pump and therefore its permits were stored in a different box, as PTWs on board the platform were sorted by location. The engineer never checked the PTW box for the location where the pressure valve was. None of the personnel present in the Control Room then was aware that a vital piece of the pump had been removed. The platforms manager assumed from the existing documents that it would be safe to start Pump A (Wikipedia, 2010). In fact, no one noticed that the pressure valve had been removed as it was placed several metres above the ground of level 64. Furthermore, it was blocked from line-of-sight by gas risers. Ten minutes later, Pump A was started, allowing gas to flow into it in the absence of the pressure valve, which quickly resulted in an overpressure the Blind Flange could not withstand. Gas started to leak at very high pressure and in great amounts, with audible sounds that took the crewmen on level 64 by surprise. The leak triggered several gas alarms. However, at exactly 9:50 PM, and before anyone could realize the situation and plan a response, the gas ignited and exploded, blowing through the Fire-Proofed walls. In the initial blast, the Fire-Proofed walls B/C and C/D failed. Panels from the C/D wall were propelled into Module D, destroying the Control Room, the Emergency Diesel Generator, and the Gas Turbine Generators, starting a hydrocarbon fire fed by a mixture of gas and diesel and blocking access to both the Manual Control Panel of the Fire-Fighting System as well as the Lifeboat Entry Points. The platforms manager quickly pressed the Emergency Shutdown button, closing the Emergency Safety Valves (ESVs) on the sea lines and ceasing all oil and gas production, before ordering an evacuation of the Control Room. This should have isolated the platform entirely from the flow of oil and gas. However, Panels from the failing B/C Fire-Proofed wall flew into Module B, rupturing another gas pipe as well as the main oil separation manifolds, starting an oil fire in the Oil Separation compartment, which spread out to all of Module B within a few minutes. Figure 7: The Initial Fire on Piper Alpha. Black smoke indicating an Oil Fire is seen rising from Module B The manager headed to the Radio Room, where he ordered a Mayday call to be transmitted. The Radio Room was then evacuated and all personnel headed to the Fire-Proofed Accommodation Block awaiting further instructions or evacuation by helicopters. Although Occidentals management was aware that a gas explosion on board Piper Alpha would be devastating, the managers on Claymore and Tartan never Shutdown oil production after they received the Mayday transmitted out of the burning platform. Even though black smoke could be seen on the horizon, which meant that there was an oil fire, the managers never suspected the failure of the Emergency Safety Valves (ESVs). The oil fire, fed by oil from Tartan and Claymore, heated up the Tartan Gas Line to the point it failed. The pipeline ruptured, releasing 15~30 tonnes of gas (pressurised to 120 ATM) per second. The gas burst into a massive fire ball that engulfed the entire Piper Alpha platform as well as a Fast Rescue Craft launched from the Multi-purpose Vessel Sandhaven. This situation was exactly what the report commissioned two years earlier had warned against; a High-Pressure Gas Fire that would be impossible to put out. At this critical moment, the fate of the platform had already b een decided, with no viable means of reversing it. The massive fire ball can be seen in Figure 8, as it instantaneously contained the platform and darkened the clear blue sky above it. Figure 8: Sequence of Images taken from a Video Footage captured by a Support Vessel showing the Explosion of the Tartan Gas Line. MV Lowland Cavalier can be seen on the Right As Figure 8 vividly illustrates, the wind was blowing in the direction of the Helideck, which in turn pushed fire and smoke towards it, making any helicopter landing absolutely impossible and an act of suicide. No further instructions were given to the trapped crewmen, who took shelter in the Accommodation Block, while smoke began to penetrate it. Some were seen jumping off the platform and into the water, against what their training instructed. Ironically, those were the ones who survived the tragic ordeal. The actions of two crewmen are worth noting. As the situation worsened, they donned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and tried to make their way to the Manual Control Panel of the Fire-Fighting System to start the diesel pumps. Those two men were never seen again and their bodies were never recovered. Nearby, and as the situation rapidly escalated, the managers on Claymore and Tartan believed that they did not have the authority to order an Emergency Shutdown of production without first consulting their superiors. The initial explosion knocked off the main communication line with OCC; however, Tartans manager somehow contacted his superior, and was instructed to stay online and continue pumping gas and oil. Meanwhile, Claymores manager tried for more than twenty minutes to raise OCC by satellite phone, but to no avail. When he finally succeeded at contacting his manger, the MCP 01 Gas Line failed and exploded, as they were speaking, at exactly 10:50 PM. It was not until that point that Claymores manager finally ordered an Emergency Shutdown of production, after receiving instructions from his superior, who also instructed him to contact Tartan and tell them to shutdown as well. Figure 9: Sequence of Images taken from a Video Footage captured by a Rescue Helicopter showing the Explosion of the MCP 01 Gas Line. The MSV Tharos can be seen on the Right By the time both platforms had ordered an Emergency Shutdown, there was no turning back for Piper Alpha; the platform was destined to burn for hours more to come, until the pipelines were depressurised, and all the hydrocarbons they carried were depleted. The fearsome heat ate its way at the machinery and steelwork comprising the once gigantic platform in a tremendous scene that horrified everyone who saw it. The final chapter in the disaster was inevitable and quite expectable. The gas line feeding Claymore finally failed and ruptured at 11:20 PM. The third explosion was the final nail in the platforms coffin. After withstanding the intense heat for more than an hour, the Generation and Utilities Module D, home to the Accommodation Block, finally slid into the sea. Most of the platform soon fell after it. Forty-five minutes past midnight, the entire platform was gone, and only Module A was all that remained. Figure 10: Image from Video Footage taken by a Rescue Helicopter landing on the MSV-Tharos as the Final Explosion of Claymores Gas Line take place The Role of nearby Support vessels The Multi-purpose vessel LowLand Cavalier (mv lowland cavalier) Although the Lowland Cavalier was the closest to Piper Alpha at the time of the initial explosion, she was only equipped as a Diving Support vessel then. She pulled away to safety immediately, after signalling the underwater divers to surface. Her role in the disaster was limited to reporting the first explosion. Figure 11: Recent Photos of the MV Lowland Cavalier The Multi-purpose vessel Silver Pit (mv silver pit) The Fast Rescue Craft MV Silver Pit was a converted fishing ship, with a small Landing Area (yellow circular area seen in Figure 9). It was the first support vessel to respond. The largest number of survivors thirty-seven out of fifty-nine was recovered by her crew. Her coxswain, James Clark, received the George Medal a second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom Commonwealth in recognition of his tremendous efforts in the Search Rescue operation (Scottish TV, 2010). Figure 12: Image taken from a Video taken by a Rescue Helicopter during a Winch-Recovery of a Survivor picked up by the MV Silver Pit the Multi-purpose vessel sandhaven (mv sandhaven) Though her actions show obvious disregard for common logic and safe practices, the efforts exerted by the crew of the Sandhaven were remarkable; they raced against time to rescue Pipers oilmen from the raging inferno. In an insane act of bravery, and in defiance to every safety rule and procedure known in the world of Offshore Rescue Operations, she approached the burning platform to a very close distance, launching a fast rescue boat with three men on board that rescued six of Pipers crewmen. However, when the gas line from Tartan exploded, a massive fire ball engulfed the burning platform as well as that boat, killing two of its crewmen along with all of survivors. The lone survivor on board that boat, Ian Letham, was also awarded the George Medal in recognition of his participation in the relief efforts during the tragic ordeal. Figure 13: The Tharos (Left Background) Sandhaven (Small Red Boat) next to Piper Alpha just as Tartans Gas line exploded the Multi-purpose Support Vessel Tharos (msv tharos) The Tharos was a semi-submersible, multi-purpose support vessel. She comprised several roles such as Fire-Fighting, Construction, Accommodation and Diving Support. She also carried a fully operational hospital and was equipped with a massive Helideck. She was commissioned by Occidental Petroleum precisely to deal with emergencies on offshore platforms. On June the 6th, 1988, and by pure chance, she was anchored close to Piper Alpha. She should have been a Godsend; however, upon approaching the burning platform, her crew started her water cannons too fast, tripping the Fire-Fighting system and wasting ten long minutes before successfully restarting it. Furthermore, those cannons were deemed very powerful, thus restricting the Tharos to as where to use them; since the stream could seriously injure or even kill anyone it hits. Figure 14: Images taken from Video Footage taken during the landing of a Rescue Helicopter on the Helideck on board the MSV-Tharos showing the Vessels powerful cannons engaged in Fire-Fighting Operations Figure 12 shows how close the Tharos was anchored to Piper as well as the locations of the MV -Lowland Cavalier and the MV Silver Pit mentioned earlier in this section. Figure 15: Locations of Support Vessels from Piper Alpha Worse still, the Tharos was equipped with an extensible bridge that could have worked as an escape route for the personnel trapped onboard, but due to flaws in its design it proved useless. The extension mechanism was too slow, taking five minutes to move two feet; so to extend to its full thirty metres, it would have taken over an hour. At 10:50 PM, the Tharos ran out of time; the MCP-01 Gas Line ruptured and burst. A huge fireball burnt brightly in the dark sky over the North Sea, and to date is considered an icon of the Piper Alpha disaster. The gas burning was more than the entire consumption of the United Kingdom. The intense heat threw the Tharos back, forcing her to return the bridge into its storage position, and from then on, her crew could only witness as Piper slowly melted and collapsed (McGinty, 2009). Figure 16: Screenshot from a Video Footage taken by a Surveillance Camera on board the MSV-Tharos showing the Extensible Bridge being extended towards Piper Alpha Figure 17: The Tharos docked to Piper Alpha via its Extensible Bridge Weeks before the Disaster Figure 10 shows the extensible bridge docked to Piper Alpha weeks before the disaster. Had the Tharos attempted to approach Piper to such a close distance, the situation would have turned into a nightmare, and the Tharos would have been engulfed in flames just like the Sandhaven. The Tharos continued fighting the fire from a safe distance until the morning of the following day. Divers from the Tharos recovered many bodies from the sea bed and from the galley area of the Accommodation Block, where most of the crewmen onboard gathered awaiting extraction by helicopter. The vessel supported the Fire-Fighting and Well Kill operations that eventually led to the extinguishing of the burning well three weeks later (Wikipedia, 2010). The Aftermath The Day After With the break of light of the following day, the scale of the disaster was unravelled. The entire platform melted down to its core through the night and sank into the sea. Ironically, Module A, once considered the most dangerous section of the platform, remained fairly intact. That was attributed to the fact that the Fire-Proofed wall separating modules A and B did not fail. Of the massive platform, only what shows in Figures 15 and 16 was what was left. Figure 18: Module A carrying a sign with the platforms number and name Piper A Figure 19 : The Remains of Piper Alpha with the MSV-Tharos in the Background Human Loss A total of a hundred and sixty seven men lost their lives in the disaster; of which, a hundred and sixty five were Piper Alpha crewmen. A hundred and sixty four of them died on site and one died later in hospital. Two crewmen from the MV Sandhaven died, along with six survivors from the platform, when their fast rescue craft was engulfed in flames after the explosion of Tartans gas link. Only sixty one men survived, almost all because they had decided to ignore what little training they had been given and jumped off the burning platform. Financial Loss The total financial loss amounted to U.S. $3.4 billion. It was paid in full by insurance companies that insured the platform and the personnel against operational hazards. The insurance companies also covered the cost of the Clean-Up operation. Damage to Public Image Occidental Petroleum claimed that their Safety Record was impeccable, claiming that it was the first time in twelve years that they had had a causality in the North Sea. However, their statement was challenged when various sources revealed that an oilman died four years earlier on board Piper Alph