With over five decades of experience in recreational and commercial boating investigations, ATA Associates has developed methods to expertly handle the intricacies of boating accidents. Our understanding of vessels, onboard systems and equipment, and the boating environment, coupled with cutting-edge inspection and testing tools, allow us to meticulously reconstruct events and deliver groundbreaking insights.
By leveraging insights from GPS tracking, vessel hydrodynamics, and the view from the helm evaluations, we provide a comprehensive analysis that significantly aids in both the boating investigation and litigation support.
What Steps Go Into Boating Investigations And Data Retrieval?
The process of investigating boating incidents involves several critical steps to ensure thorough and accurate analysis:
Vessel Inspection: Physical inspection of the vessel(s) involved in an incident is typically the most important step in the investigation of a boating mishap. The pattern of damage observed on a vessel is often the most straightforward evidence for understanding how that vessel interacted with another vessel or fixed object.
View From The Helm Evaluation: In many boating incidents, what the operator could see, or couldn’t see, from the control station is key; relevant factors that affect the operator’s visual field include environmental lighting conditions and obstruction to the operator’s line of sight in the external environment and in the vessel itself.
Data Collection: If available, we retrieve relevant information about vessel speed and path from on-board GPS navigation systems.
Scene Assessment: When possible, we conduct an on-site evaluation of the scene, where we observe and document relevant environmental factors such as currents, wave patterns, and weather conditions to understand their possible impact on the vessel at the time of the incident.
Digital Reconstruction: Using data collected in the preceding steps, we create detailed models and animations of the incident to visualize and analyze the event from multiple perspectives.
Comprehensive Reporting: All findings are compiled into a detailed report that includes data analyses, interpretations, and expert opinions.
How Does Line-Of-Sight Incorporate Into The Analysis Of A Boating Accident?
A view from the helm evaluation, also sometimes called line-of-sight analysis, may be crucial to understanding the circumstances of a boating accident. It involves:
Visibility Assessment: Determining what could be seen from each vessel’s control station or helm based upon factors limiting like distance, lighting, and obstructions onboard the vessel, and in the external, natural environment.
Position Verification: Analyzing the position and movement of boats to see how they affect line-of-sight obstructions.
Recreation of Visual Fields: Using graphical 3D modeling software, we recreate virtual perspectives of operators, aiding in understanding the decisions made on the visual information available at the time of the incident.
How Do You Present The Gps Data To Show The Movements Before An Accident?
Presenting GPS data effectively is essential for illustrating the sequence of events leading up to a boating accident. Here’s how we do use GPS during a boating investigation:
Path Mapping: We plot the path of the vessel using GPS coordinates on digital maps or aerial photos, providing a visual trace of its movements over time.
3D Animations: Create animated sequences that replay the vessel’s journey, highlighting key moments such as changes in speed or direction.
Data Correlation Charts: Develop charts that correlate GPS data with chronological timestamps, other sensor data (e.g., speed, engine status), and environmental conditions.
By employing these methods, ATA Associates delivers a compelling and comprehensive narrative that clarifies the events leading to a boating accident or other maritime incident. This intricate presentation is essential for litigation, offering a transparent, interpretative model of the incident for all stakeholders involved.
Ready to leverage ATA Associates’ unmatched expertise for your next boating case? Contact us today to ensure precise, authoritative support in your investigation and litigation needs.
