Apologizing for the Exxon Valdez

An immediate verbal apology after the Exxon Valdez oil spill would have accomplished little more than letting the Alaskan people know that Exxon acknowledged the problem. In this situation the most important part of the apology was the action taken to remedy the effects of the spill. Cleaning up the Prince William Sound and other affected areas was the the most important part of making reparations for the accident. An apology from the captain of the ship to the public would not have done much. Yes, it would have shown that he was taking responsibility for the accident but after the spill, there were more pressing matters at hand.