The Nautical Institute: Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence

Volume 1 and Volume 2

The two volumes of the Collecting Maritime Evidence series provide vital guidance on how to respond after an incident, when many investigating bodies are likely to be competing for the Master's attention. Acknowledged experts in their various fields explain in clear language the evidence needed, how it should be preserved and how it will be used.

The publications highlight the primacy of electronic evidence. Its advantage, notes ADMIRALTY Judge Mr. Justice Teare, is that "electronic or digital records cannot lie or have faulty or imperfect recollection of what happened. They will be the best evidence of what has happened.

Volume 1 considers the Master's responsibilities and the preservation of evidence, arbitration and the no-blame approach to safety investigations. Other chapters consider the subject from the standpoint of P&I, the lawyer, surveyor and marines claims broker. The second volume adds the perspectives of the naval architect, average adjuster and judge, along with those investigating agricultural produce issues, fires and machinery failure. Volume 2 also goes into more detail about the recovery and preservation of electronic evidence and the way it can be used to create a visual reconstruction of an incident.