Master Maritime | Comprehensive Maritime Consulting Services

Accident Investigation
Master Maritime provides comprehensive independent accident investigation focusing on the root cause of a maritime incident. Our approach is to analyze thoroughly the interaction of all factors contributing to the accident including:

Human factors
Environmental factors
Mechanical factors
Tactical situation
Training
Regulatory compliance
Licensing issues
Bridge Resource Management
Identification of the chain of errors

Past investigations include:

The grounding of the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Columbia on Haley Rock near Sitka, Alaska.
The grounding of the cruise ship Regent Sea on Packingham Point in College Fiord near Seward, Alaska.
The pilot's abandonment of the freighter Reefer Badger and the near grounding of the vessel in Captain's Bay (Dutch Harbor).
The tripping and subsequent total loss of the docking assist tug Murph in Petersburg, Alaska.
The collision of the cruise ships Regent Sea and Island Princess near Skagway, Alaska.
The grounding of the cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam on Gravina Point, near Ketchikan, Alaska.
The grounding of the cruise ship Star Princess on Poundstone Rock near Juneau, Alaska.
The engineroom fire and subsequent abandonment of the cruise ship Regent Star in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
The allision of the bow of the cruise ship Crown Princess with buildings on the waterfront in Ketchikan harbor, Alaska.
The sinking of the docking assist tug Maritime in Dutch Harbor.

The results of our maritime expert's investigations in the pilotage waters of Alaska and expert witness testimony have contributed to several recommendations for improvements in marine safety by the National Transportation Safety Board including the formation of the Alaska Marine Safety Task Force, the revamping of the Alaska Marine Pilot Act, changes to training requirements for initial licensure, continuing education and accountability for Alaska's marine pilots.

Our investigations and expert witness testimony have been used extensively by the Alaska Department of Law in prosecuting all aspects of maritime incidents including marine pilot license actions.