Marine

EDT provides expert forensic analysis of marine losses involving ocean and inland vessels, cargo, and marine infrastructure. Our multidisciplinary teams investigate the full spectrum of marine incidents — from hull and machinery failures to cargo damage and stock throughput losses — delivering clear, scientifically defensible findings across the entire maritime supply chain.

Assessing the Damage

Our forensic engineering consultants can analyze the following to help you understand the cause, scope, and value of marine, cargo, and stock throughput losses.

Boats, ships, recreational watercraft, inland ports, railroads, barges, water terminals, offshore supply vessels or platforms
Hull and structure
Machinery, engine, and propulsion, hydraulic, electrical, cooling and ventilation systems
Process failure, contamination, and process equipment maloperation
Cargo handling and stowage conditions

Finding the Cause

Damages to marine vessels often involve a combination of factors. Here are some of the common causes we investigate.

Collisions & Allisions
Fires & Explosions
Intact & Damage Stability
Forces of Nature
Mechanical Failures
Structural Failures
Design & Construction Defects
Human Factors & Navigation Errors
Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Chemical or Physical Contaminants in Stock Throughput
Control & Process Breakdown

Forensic Marine Engineering

Container ship at an industrial port with cranes

Root Cause Determination

Scope of Damage/Cost of Repairs

Accident Reconstruction

Inland Marine Services

Offshore Maritime Services

Large Losses & Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Litigation Support

Why EDT?

Technical Expertise
All of our forensic consultants are experts in their profession. The professionals at EDT include engineers registered as Naval Architects, Marine, Mechanical, Chemical, Structural, and Electrical engineers. We have the deep expertise you need to understand marine, cargo, and stock throughput losses. We can also provide towing vessel safety services.

Maritime Code Proficiency

Code of Federal Regulations Titles 33 and 46
IMO Regulations (SOLAS, DG Code, IMBSC, ISM Code, BWM Code, STCW)
International Standards Organization (ISO) Standards
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards
Class Rules (ABS, Lloyds Register, DNV, NKK, RINA)
International Labor Organization (ILO 152-Cargo Gear)
American Welding Society (AWS)
America Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)
European Commission (EC) Requirements
American Petroleum Institute (API) Rules and Guidelines
Other National Standards (NIS, NORSOK, and others)

Direct, Unbiased Approach
You'll speak directly with an engineer expert when you work with EDT, not go-betweens or intermediaries. We provide value by explaining, in simple terms, the complex relationships inherent in ocean and inland marine operations. Discuss your offshore or inland marine challenge with an engineer who knows which questions to ask and which answers to find.

Proactive Guidance
Although our services include post-incident damage and loss, we also provide pre-loss consultation to provide the information needed to mitigate risk of future damage and loss.

Testing and Laboratories
Our engineers understand how to test marine systems and to quantify proper operation. We have laboratory facilities in all of our offices to examine defects, material testing laboratories at our disposal, and equipment for chemical analyses. If necessary, specific test arrangements can be developed to prove claims.