Vital bridge equipment: Digital camera

The club points out that experts need clear images to provide early remote assistance with incidents and the immediate actions required, and that insurers need evidence of the alleged damage and the losses suffered.

Currently, says Mike Harrison of marine consultancy Solis Marine Consultants, Ltd., when dealing with many fixed object damage claims – broken fenders, concrete or pile damage, crane contact – experts or insurers often have little to go on, "perhaps a quick sketch, a few pixelated images and a remarkably large bill for repairs and loss of use."

Writing in the latest issue of the London club's StopLoss Bulletin, Mr. Harrison  says that in many cases, the immediate task of collecting and preserving evidence lies with the master and crew.

"Good photographs taken as soon as possible after the event are invaluable, and can easily be shared by email with a remote expert for instant advice on key issues," he writes. "The expert can then identify where further detail might be useful, the signs of prior damage and perhaps dilapidation or poor design."

"These days, $100 buys a camera capable of storing and taking quality images," notes Mr. Harrison. "There is no need to compromise on quality or quantity."

Mr. Harrison says that the bridge kit should include as a minimum:

• a digital compact camera with at least 8X optical zoom, built-in flash and video function; camera image quality of at least 10 megapixels;
• two 8GB or larger blank SD cards (preformatted) and checked for operation;
• spare battery pack;
• mains charger with ship-compatible plug

"The camera should be kept on the bridge, fully charged with an empty storage card. Most cameras have an internal clock which should be checked and set to UTC. This time-stamp is used when the image file is stored, essential when the chronology of events could be questioned," says Mr. Harrison.