COLLINS MARINE LTD

Collins Marine Consultants Ltd specialises in extracting, analysing and presenting digital navigation data to reconstruct an accident e.g. collision, grounding, stranding or strike with fixed or floating objects, or “near-miss” incident and present the findings in a coherent manner to assist our clients in determining the root cause. Sources of the navigation data include Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and/or Vessel Traffic Management Information Systems (VTMIS). Nowadays digital navigation data is widely available due to requirements under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention for a variety of vessel types and sizes to carry VDR, AIS and ECDIS. Prior to this, an investigator faced a number of challenges in determining the likely cause of an accident or incident and usually had to reconcile multiple sources of evidence to try and determine what actually happened. As well – inconsistencies in detail, perception and truth in witness evidence had to be reconciled. With access to digital data, it is now possible to carry out a reliable and independent investigation in an efficient, timely and cost effective manner. Employing the same software suite (MADAS PRO) as used by several national marine accident investigation organisations, including the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (UK), National Transportation Safety Board (USA), Transportation Canada and the Australian Transportation Safety Board – we can help our clients by: - Providing a mariner’s perspective to make sense of the data and, thus, make best use of it - Using our technical knowledge and operational experience with shipboard systems to overcome problems with data extraction - Recognising errors and omissions in the data - Deciding which parameters are relevant to an incident and how the data should be displayed for maximum effect - Understanding how digital data should be considered alongside oral/written evidence - Using our software to “test” evidence from other sources - Commenting upon the actions of the Bridge Team and, if embarked, the Pilot - Determining the most probable cause of the accident or incident