Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence
A short blurb on the book by the technical editor John Noble FNI:
Readers may be familiar with the development of the “Collecting Evidence” series of books. Dr Phil Anderson FNI published the first book in 1989 entitled “The Master’s Role in Collecting Evidence”; this was followed in 1997 by an updated book entitled “The Mariner’s Role in Collecting Evidence”. The publication was further updated in 2006 when Dr Anderson produced the book titled “The Mariner’s Role in Collecting Evidence-in light of the ISM”. Later, in 2010 the North of England P & I Club (now the North) and the North East of England branch of The Nautical Institute combined to publish the handbook “The Mariner’s Role in Collecting Evidence”. The concept of all these publications was to deal with the issues of collecting evidence, after an incident on board or close to a ship, involving those individuals who had sailed on or had direct dealings with it.
I was asked to take on the task of producing a book that would reflect the roles of evidence collection in a broader context within the maritime industry. From my own experience in dealing with casualties, plus many Court and arbitration attendances, I am aware of the many interests who become involved in collecting and using evidence following a maritime incident.
The Nautical Institute is widely recognised as a leading resource in maritime learning, as evidenced by the range of publications produced. The “Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence” book joins a stable of thoroughbreds. There are contributions from a wide range of individuals and organisations who are required to collect or use evidence in their daily work. Evidence following an incident can be used in many ways for example: Lessons to be learned; Criminal Prosecution; Liability (who pays) issues and dispute resolution. The contributors in this publication have given of their time and expertise to produce what I believe is a valuable digest of by whom, where and how maritime evidence is collected. The in-depth experience of the individual chapter authors is reflected in their contributions.
Finally, I acknowledge there are still areas to be covered such as collection of electronic evidence, metallurgy, classification, food sciences, micro-biology and fire; but a start has been made with this edition.
