November 16 - The UK's Nautical Institute has launched an important new influential loss prevention publication to help seafarers gather evidence in the event of accidents and incidents.

The Mariner's Role in Collecting Evidence - handbook was launched at a recent mariner and the maritime law seminar.

The handbook, written by a team from the North of England P&I Association, augments another, larger book published by the Institute: The Mariner's Role in Collecting Evidence - in the Light of ISM by Dr Phil Anderson.

The publications are a response to the increasingly litigious world faced by seafarers and designated persons ashore, said Institute president James Robinson. Seafarers are wary of facing litigation or claims and the fear of criminalisation is increasing. This was recognised by The Nautical Institute two decades ago when the first of the Mariner's Role in Collecting Evidence books was published. The Institute's North Eastern Branch has maintained its association with the book throughout that time.

"We now we have two publications covering the mariner's role in collecting evidence," said Robinson. "The book has had several reincarnations - we are now on the third edition - which has proved a boon to the industry, guiding many in the collection, preservation and use of evidence in marine claims."

The new handbook addresses the technological developments in marine data collection and transmission since the publication of the third edition of the book in 2006. It will be available to purchase with the main book as a package. Royalties will go to the North East England Branch's Education Trust.

The Mariner's Role in Collecting Evidence - Handbook will also be published by the North of England P&I Association and distributed to its members under its own imprint.

The Mariner's Role in Collecting Evidence - book and handbook are available from The Nautical Institute, price? 45.00; NI Ref 0292; ISBN 978 1 906915 13 1. Visit www.nautinst.org