Articles by Hendrik J. Keijer

A vessel is deemed seaworthy when it is determined to be reasonably fit for her intended use. The Titanic was a passenger cruise liner which was intended to be used to safely carry passengers and crew. The Titanic was unseaworthy since she provided insufficient lifesaving capacity. Unseaworthiness does not necessarily result in the sinking of a vessel.

This article discusses how proving, or disproving unseaworthiness through a thorough forensic investigation can be powerful in maritime litigation.

GPS units and chartplotters potentially contain a myriad of useful information for the reconstruction of marine mishaps. Our experts can export, interpret, and analyze this data within the context of specific events to reliably answer questions involving speed, location, and many other relevant issues.

This article provides an introduction to marine GPS navigation data as it relates to litigation and insurance claims. Concepts explored include how experts use data to determine vessel locations and operator actions/inactions of interest such as slow speed zone transits, waterfront bar/restaurant visits, and evasive maneuvers.

An effective and skilled ship’s navigation team, subject to applicable requirements, should be well versed and trained in Bridge Resource Management (BRM). During any investigation where an examination of whether or not the bridge team effectively exercised their operational prowess through use of BRM skills, understanding how BRM could have, or should have, been used, can help the investigator identify or rule out potential causes of the casualty.

In this article, Captain Hendrik Keijer discusses the concept of BRM and provides examples of how this concept can be applied to maritime incident investigations.

Failure to properly distribute the weight load on boats, including where your occupants are located, can have catastrophic consequences. Overloading, or improperly loading, a boat may lead to dangerous conditions and personal injury. In the case of a recreational boat, improper loading may be failing to adequately distribute occupants to ensure that their weight is well balanced.

In this article, Marine Operations expert Hendrik Keijer addresses the standard of care for vessel operators and owners as it relates to load/passenger distribution.

All vessels, regardless of size, are subject to requirements, standards, and procedures for securing on board materials. The objective is to reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood and consequential severity of exposure to hazardous conditions caused by the movement of loose or unsecured objects.

In this article, Marine Operations expert Captain Hendrik Keijer addresses the importance of securing or tying down objects as an exercise in risk management aboard vessels.

All vessels, from small recreational boats to large ocean going ships, have safety systems onboard designed to reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood and consequential severity of exposure to hazardous conditions. In this article, Marine Operations expert Captain Hendrik Keijer addresses the importance of carbon monoxide and fire detection/suppression systems to manage the level of risk aboard vessels.

In this piece, the focus is on Boating Safety Education and the importance of a pre-departure Safety Briefing. Good seamanship requires Captains, vessel operators and owners to have mitigation and contingency plans in place before and during a vessel’s voyage, and to be aware of and prepared for risks involved in maritime transit. Whether the vessel is a cruise ship, cargo vessel, ferry, yacht, charter or recreational boat, a prudent vessel operator should manage the level of risk.

This is the first in a series of articles, written by Marine Operations expert Captain Hendrik J. Keijer to address a variety of available methods and means which the level of risk aboard vessels can be managed.

In this article, Marine Operations Expert and retired Captain, Hendrik Keijer discusses processes and responsibilities for Captains and crew to provide safe embarkation (entry) and disembarkation (exit) of passenger vessels.

The marine experts at Robson Forensic are regularly retained to investigate incidents involving passengers and crew who fall or are injured in the process of boarding or disembarking ferries, cruise ships, and other passenger vessels.