How do you know which of a hundred decisions required to get a 21,000-ton ship through a narrow channel was the wrong one?
S-E-A was contracted by maritime attorneys to evaluate and offer an expert opinion about the activities of a commercial cargo ship transiting the upper reaches of the Houston Ship Channel. The ship was under the direction of a Harbor Pilot with tugboat assistance when an allision (collision with a fixed object) occurred with a concrete pier causing extensive damages to the ship and the pier.
There was no reported failure of the ship's systems and the assisting tugboats were being accused of causing this incident.
S-E-A was provided with a wealth of information that could be used to evaluate the ship's actions. This included: electronic bridge logbook information, voice and data recordings from the ship's bridge, the engine maneuvering electronic data log, GPS track information for the ship, port vessel traffic service “real-time” tracking data, eyewitness reports and incident reports from the ship and tugboats.
Using the information available, S-E-A was able to accurately plot the ship’s track using three-dimensional marine navigation software. This 3-D plot then allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the ship’s rate of advance, and more importantly, its position within the narrow confines of the ship channel as it approached the intended berth.
From the 3-D plot, S-E-A produced a graphical representation of the entire approach of not only the ship but also the assisting tugboats.
Roller Coaster Failure
January 08, 2016Night Visibility Evaluation
April 01, 2016Construction Site Accident
June 02, 2016Ship Manuevering Evaluation
August 16, 2016Amusement Ride Failure
September 08, 2016High-Rise Fire
November 15, 2016Fall From A Balcony
November 15, 2016Sports Related Head Impact
December 23, 2016Evaluation of test evidence resulted in the following findings:
S-E-A’s ability to accurately evaluate and recreate accidents relies to some degree on expertise using and combining a broad range of advanced technologies. More importantly, S-E-A’s depth of real-world maritime experience allows for the kind of insight and perspective needed to interpret the mass of data that these technologies can generate.
S-E-A’s multi-disciplinary teams are a large part of why we have been able to help so many clients find real answers. The scientific methodologies cross all disciplines and our wealth of experience in solving a wide range of problems is invaluable in assuring broad perspective and thinking unfettered by familiarity and repetition.
Captain Karentz started sailing upon New England waters in the early 1970s and graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1979. He earned his Unlimited Master Mariner’s License at age 26, and since that time has had a varied and extensive career in the marine industries.
His seagoing experience includes sail and motor yachts, commercial ships, tugboats, offshore marine construction, deepwater oil exploration, and scientific research. Land-based employment includes management of a fleet of oil tankers engaged in U.S. and Foreign trade, owner/operator of a tugboat company, vessel chartering, and management of a large yacht marina.
As a maritime consultant, he has an extensive history of vessel refit, modification, and repair work for local and international clients.
In 2003, Captain Karentz accepted an in-house marine advisory role with a Miami-based maritime law firm, and in 2011, he joined SEA, Ltd. as a Senior Maritime Consultant in their Fort Lauderdale office.
His previous experiences and skills provide him the expertise to perform his current work of assisting maritime attorneys and marine insurers worldwide in the admiralty law and marine insurance arenas.
5410 NW 33rd Avenue,
Suite 100
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 777-4790 (Phone)
(888) 771-0591 (Toll Free)
Roller Coaster Failure
January 08, 2016Night Visibility Evaluation
April 01, 2016Construction Site Accident
June 02, 2016Ship Manuevering Evaluation
August 16, 2016Amusement Ride Failure
September 08, 2016High-Rise Fire
November 15, 2016Fall From A Balcony
November 15, 2016Sports Related Head Impact
December 23, 2016