Investigations of Marine Casualties and Incidents
Marine casualties and incidents demand a swift response and a thorough understanding of both the marine industry and the applicable legal framework. Investigations often play a key role in dealing with such unwanted incidents, as they provide valuable insights into their causes and allocation of responsibilities, as well as facilitate the proper handling of the legal consequences.
SANDS offers clients a unique advantage by combining specialist expertise from our Shipping, Offshore & Oil Service and Investigation, Compliance and Risk Management departments. Our multidisciplinary team assists with objective investigations, evidence gathering and legal assessments throughout the entire process, from initial response to final reporting. This integrated approach ensures that we can offer comprehensive and precise solutions that address both technical and legal aspects of marine accidents. As a result, we support our clients through every stage, from immediate crisis management to long-term legal follow-up.
Investigation expertise
Our investigation and compliance group is led by Nicolai Skridshol, who has been consistently ranked among Norway’s leading lawyers in the field of Investigation and Compliance by the Norwegian financial newspaper Finansavisen/Kapital, each year from 2015 to 2024. His experience and recognition in the market support SANDS’ position as one of Norway’s leading practices for the investigation of complex and sensitive matters.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Precise Analyses
Marine incidents and casualties can encompass a wide range of undesirable events, including collisions between ships or other vessels or objects, groundings, pollution, engine breakdowns, explosions, fire, death, and personal injury. The news show that marine accidents can vary in severity and consequences, ranging from minor incidents to major disasters. While public authorities and private entities have established procedures for handling such incidents, there is often a need for swift and independent investigations to ensure objectivity, accuracy, and equal access to information for all affected parties.
Our Shipping, Offshore & Oil Service department consists of an internationally recognised core team of Norwegian, English and German lawyers, with extensive international expertise and experience from leading positions in the oil service, shipping and insurance industries. The department has deep insight into marine operations and the technical aspects of marine accidents. We assist our clients in securing crucial evidence, understanding causal relationships and assessing legal consequences.
At the same time, our Investigation, Compliance and Risk Management team ensures that investigations are conducted objectively, efficiently and in line with applicable regulations. With extensive experience in crisis management, whistleblowing and regulatory issues, we offer in-depth analyses of possible regulatory breaches and liability issues.
Comprehensive Approach for In-Depth Investigations
Our interdisciplinary collaboration across departments ensures that all relevant facts are identified and analysed in a systematic and objective manner. We also offer “second opinions” and quality assurance for investigations conducted by other advisors. Our investigations can be tailored to the client’s specific needs – either as an independent and comprehensive, objective investigation or as part of a larger process in which the client or other advisers handle certain aspects of the casualty or incident themselves.