Agreed, the first bit of the article isn't about simplicity as much as it is about visibility and the ability to directly control each aspect. This is very much in line with how modern SCADA systems are designed (and indeed the ship example is one of these). Each component can run automatically based on sensors and the state of its peers, or it can be directly controlled by the operator if required.
The latter part of the article talks about simplicity but doesn't seem tightly tied to the earlier part.
I considered using other labels besides "simple," like "redundant" or "straightforward," but decided no matter what word I used some ambiguity would remain. So I stick with "simple" and hoped the context would help carry the point across. I'm glad that it did, as it seems.
The latter part of the article talks about simplicity but doesn't seem tightly tied to the earlier part.