Do you need an marine expert witness or investigator/advisor to work with you following an incident or in a forthcoming case?

Expert Witness & Advisor

We have considerable experience of acting in both criminal and civil cases and the experts we have introduced have appeared in Magistrate Courts, Coroners Courts, Crown Courts and at the Old Bailey to give evidence and be cross-examined in respect of their evidence.

We are invited to be involved in incidents either in the days after an incident occurs or after the various parties have gathered evidence and are seeking an objective expert opinion. We fully understand our responsibilities to the courts and the reports we produce and evidence given reflect that understanding.

We can draw from a pool of highly experienced experts and will allocate according to the nature of the expertise required – for example in addition to the obvious expertise we have in-house in all powered craft (workboats, powerboats, speedboats, jetskis, personal watercraft, motor boats etc) we can draw on expertise in yacht sailing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, wing foiling, kitesurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, all paddle sports, stand-up paddleboarding (‘SUPs’) and running multi activity centres. Basically if it floats and is less than 24m in length we can assist.

For power related cases most commonly Paul Glatzel will be allocated as the marine expert.

Paul’s experience can be summarised as:

“Powerboat, motorboat and jetski/personal watercraft expert. Royal Yachting Association Instructor Trainer and Examiner with experience in producing reports for civil and criminal cases and appearing in various Crown, Coroners and Magistrates Courts and at the Old Bailey. Author of the RYA Powerboat Handbook and RYA Advanced Powerboat Handbook. Criminal cases have involved charges of gross negligent manslaughter and murder in addition to prosecutions under the Merchant Shipping Act, the ‘collision regulations’ and local bye-laws. Civil cases have covered the whole range of possible incidents.

Expert Witness & Advisor

Extensive experience afloat in civilian, commercial and military craft in the UK, Europe, US, Middle East, Antarctica and the Caribbean. Circumnavigated the UK and Ireland in sub 10m powerboats. Paul is one of the few marine experts to have been invited to attend Cranfield University’s – Applied Marine Accident Investigation course. This course is recognised world wide as the course for those involved in investigating and reporting on marine accidents.”

We were please to receive the following feedback after one case:

“I worked with Paul on a very difficult case. From the start his advice was clear and considered, and when he gave evidence at trial he did so in an authoritative and compelling fashion. He is an expert expert witness!” Nick Tucker, Criminal Law Barrister

The cases that we have been involved in in recent years include:

  • Production of report for the MCA into a motor cruiser – ‘Sully’ – grounding on the Isle of Wight with multiple casualties. Skipper charged under the collision regulations. Appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court.
  • Production of report for Dorset Police Major Crime Unit into the death of a male in Poole Harbour. Skipper charged with gross negligent manslaughter.
  • Production of reports into the actions Skipper and Operator of a RIB (‘Seadogz’) that impacted a navigation buoy in Southampton Water resulting in the death of one person. Reports produced for Hampshire Police Major Crime Unit and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (‘MCA’). Skipper charged with gross negligent manslaughter and under the collision regulations. Owner charged under the Merchant Shipping Act. Appeared at Winchester Crown Court.
  • Production of report for Kent & Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate relating to the actions of the skipper in the case of the rescue of 39 migrants in the English Channel and death of 4. Skipper charged with gross negligent manslaughter. Appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.
  • Production of a report for the MCA into the grounding of small powerboat in the Isles of Scilly. Skipper charged under the collision regulations and Merchant Shipping Act. Appeared at Truro Magistrates Court.
  • Production of reports for a government department regarding the actions of the Skippers of small inflatables crossing the English Channel.
  • Assisted Dyfed and Powys Police into the investigation into the death of a firefighter from Mid and West Wales Fire Service after a collision between two vessels in Milford Haven.
  • Production of reports for the MCA’s Scotland office into incidents in that jurisdiction.
  • Produced report on behalf of a government agency into aspects of the case that involved the use of a rigid inflatable boat in the importation of £112m of drugs into the UK. Appeared at Bristol Crown Court.
  • Produced report for Metropolitan Police Major Homicide Division on the actions of the skipper of a small powerboat that led to the death of one person on the Thames. Skipper charged with gross negligent manslaughter. Appeared at The Old Bailey.
  • Murder trial involving the use of a 22ft powerboat. For Dorset Police Major Crime Unit produced report based on supplied evidence and appeared at Winchester Crown Court.
  • Incident involved a 62ft Fairline pleasure craft and a 3.5m jet drive rib. Produced report for Hampshire Police Major Crime Unit. Skipper charged with gross negligent manslaughter and under the Merchant Shipping Act. Appeared at Winchester Crown Court.
  • A case where two boats crashed at night. Charges were then brought against the club, their Chief Instructor and two Dinghy Instructors. Appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.
  • Incident involving a collision between a small RIB and a motor cruiser at anchor at night on Oulton Broad. Produced a report for the MCA that was produced in evidence at the subsequent sentencing.
  • Produced reports in a numerous civil cases for both defendants and claimants involving various boat/jetski related cases.
  • Acted as part of an investigation team into the death of one powerboat racer and serious injuries to another at the Powerboat P1 event in Weymouth.

The work that we undertake will obviously vary according to the nature of the incident. Our involvement in incidents has included:

    In potential criminal cases:

  • Contact by police investigation team the day after an incident to add marine expertise to the investigative team. Produced initial briefing notes to outline evidence required to be captured and how this may be done (eg isolating a chartplotter and ensuring track functions saved), providing recommendations to other relevant parties – eg certifying authorities, qualification boards, companies that can illustrate boat’s movement etc.
  • Attendance at meetings with Police investigation team, Crime Scene Investigators, MCA, MAIB and Harbour Authority to view crashed vessels and gather evidence for inclusion in future reports.
  • Meeting with investigating team pre accused interviews to contribute marine expertise to the team deciding on interview strategy.
  • Review of initial interview transcripts to identify areas requiring further investigation.
  • Production of detailed report assessing all of the available evidence for consideration by the prosecuting authority – eg CPS, MCA etc.
  • Review of other party’s expert report and meeting with them to discuss areas of agreement/disagreement. Production of Joint Experts Report.
  • Appearance in court sitting with barristers to provide real time in-court advice.
  • Providing advice to judge on marine aspects of the case.
  • Run through of report and cross examination.

    • In civil cases:

  • Initial discussions with solicitors to determine expert’s initial opinion on the case.
  • Review of evidence and production of a report for consideration by solicitors for claimants and defendants.
  • Discussion with other party’s expert to agree areas of agreement/disagreement.
  • Attendance at court as required.

Paul is our point of contact for expert witness enquiries and is always happy to have an initial discussion ahead of receiving instruction. Please contact us to arrange a call.

Paul can be contacted on 01202 686666 or via expertwitness@powerboattraininguk.co.uk