Course description
The Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre successfully delivered this exciting new marine accident investigation course for the first time in 2013.
The course content was carefully developed in close collaboration with the accident investigation community, including the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch, and with the endorsement of the Centre’s Industry Advisory Board.
The course concentrates on applying techniques to the specialised aspects of marine accidents and serious incidents.
A major element of the course is a five-day simulation exercise. The exercise covers many aspects including: team management; site safety and security; media management; site management; working with recorded data; documentation investigation; accident site photography; witness interviewing; analysis techniques; formal report writing and development of safety recommendations.
The course includes the opportunity to visit the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s (MAIB) offices in Southampton, and meet their staff, who will be lecturing on various aspects of casualty investigation, including technical data analysis*.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
The course is aimed at those who may have to conduct, or participate in, a marine accident investigation. This may be in the role of official investigator for a State or as a representative of a manufacturer, operator, service provider, insurer or regulator.
The course is designed for applicants who have completed the Fundamentals of Accident Investigation course and have gained the necessary basic investigation skills. However, other applicants with an appropriate background, initial training and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
There are no formal qualifications for entry. All lectures and workshops will be delivered in English. Due to the intensity of the course a thorough knowledge of the English language is important.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
On successful completion, you will have gained the skills needed to confidently conduct a marine accident investigation.
Training Course Content
Core content
This intense three-week course provides a practical approach to investigating marine accidents encompassing the technical, operational and human aspects of investigation:
- International basis for marine accident investigations.
- State Director of Marine Accidents' perspective.
- Managing a marine accident investigation.
- Marine accident site risk management.
- Evidence preservation and collection strategies.
- Enhanced interview techniques.
- Five-day accident simulation exercise.
- Accident report writing.
- Working with the media.
- Marine operational and engineering human factors.
- Physiology, psychology and pathology in marine accidents.
- Applied analysis methods.
- Investigating navigational accidents.
- Investigating machinery failures.
- Investigating with recorded data.
- Investigating ship fires and explosions.
- Investigating structural & stability accidents.
- Investigating marine occupational health accidents.
- Visit to UK MAIB.
Course delivery details
Course structure
The course topics are explored in conjunction with case studies, technical visits to maritime institutions and marine infrastructure facilities. A major element of the course is a five-day simulation exercise. The course is formally assessed and, when combined with the Fundamentals of Accident Investigation course, completes the core element of the PGCert in Safety and Accident Investigation.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...