We have taken part in many high level marine investigations for Owners, Charterers and Insurance Interests and have been instructed in several well known cases.
We were part of the Owner's technical team investigating the loss of the MSC NAPOLI that suffered hull failure south of the Lizard and was intentionally beached on the Devon coast. Activities included attendance at diving surveys, examination the wreckage in dry dock, taking samples from the hull, laboratory testing and liaison with other experts and the Marine Accident Investigation Board.
Our highest value marine instruction was the SOLITAIRE, the conversion of a bulk carrier into a specialist pipe-laying vessel. The Owner terminated the conversion contract in Singapore and towed the vessel to a UK yard where the work was completed. Roger King gave evidence in international arbitration regarding alleged incompetence in welding thick steel plates that supported the stinger (a type of ramp that guides the pipe as it leaves the ship), incorrect construction sequence and the significance of a "knuckle" (a kink in the line of the plating) on the fatigue life of the hull. His evidence was accepted by the Tribunal.
As another example we advised hull and machinery underwriters on a well publicised problem of cracked main engine bedplate castings that affected a series of diesel engines used for powering VLCCs. This included the cause and timing of the damage and the apportionment of claims amongst policy years (6 vessels). Roger King was instructed in recovery proceedings in S. Korea.
Numerous instructions have been undertaken in the following areas:
