Maritime casualties and watercraft crashes pose particular challenges in the field of reconstruction. Crashes that occur in the marine environment are far more complex and difficult to investigate than land surface transportation crashes. It is imperative that the investigator possess a thorough and comprehensive understanding of all the elements of a marine incident; human, environment, vessel and survival systems.
The Introtech staff includes two retired Coast Guard officers (a Captain and Lieutenant), both with vast experience and training in the field of maritime safety and accident investigation. Their education and experience encompass such duties as Coast Guard Cutter Officer of the Deck, Command Duty Watch Officer, Search and Rescue Controller, Aircraft Commander, Search and Rescue Boat Coxswain, Emergency Medical Technician, Armed Boarding Officer, Engineering Watch Officer, Engineering Petty Officer, Engineer Officer and on-scene accident investigator.
The Introtech staff has conducted extensive marine investigations throughout the United States and internationally. Our marine reconstruction staff have successfully testified as expert witnesses in municipal, county and Federal courts in Ohio and other states. Besides our reconstructing numerous vessel collisions, our investigative work and cases have included:
- Personal watercraft
- Drowning and falls overboard
- Commercial vessel operation
- Recreational power vessels of all categories
- Sailboats
- Waterskiing, tubing incidents and other water sport products
- Military vessels incident
- Fire/explosions
- General boating safety issues
- Port security and safety issues
- Component failure and casualties
- Aids to Navigation issues
- Piloting and Navigation
- Marina and Port Operations
- Survival Systems
- Flotation, buoyancy and capsizing
The Introtech reconstruction staff is assisted by two marine technician/investigators that also possess extensive training and experience in recreational boating and general accident investigation.
Our staff has attended some of the most advanced and comprehensive training in the maritime safety and accident investigation disciplines including, but not limited to:
- National Boating Safety School
- National Search and Rescue School
- Underwriters Laboratory Advanced Boat Accident School
- Coast Guard Motor Surfboat School
- Coast Guard Emergency Medical Technician
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy Shipboard and Aircraft Fire Fighting
- Damage Control
- Marine Engineering Schools from the U.S. Coast Guard, Mercury Marine, Caterpillar Diesel, Cummins Diesel, Detroit Diesel
- Maritime Rules of the Road
- Coast Guard Engineman and Machinery Technician up to and including Chief Petty Officer
- Radar Operator
- ABYC Webinars
- National Transportation Safety Board Academy
In order to maintain our expertise we regularly attend various schools and seminars in the field of maritime safety and boating safety standards. Introtech staff are members of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), The U.S. Naval Institute, International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) and the National Safe Boating Council. Mr. Lipian and Mr. Crawford are both Ohio Division of Watercraft Volunteers and often teach on the subject of boating accident investigation/reconstruction and are certified to teach the Ohio Boating Education Course (OBEC).
In addition to hand and total station measurement of damaged boats and crash scenes, Introtech has conducted extensive operational testing with accelerometers, GPS navigation, photo/video documentation and navigation instruments.
There is no substitute for the experience of actually having been at the scene of maritime mishaps and collisions. Other companies rely solely upon education alone, without having the indispensable benefit of our experience. Introtech is uniquely qualified to determine how and why maritime casualties occurred.