EMS in their John Clabburn were requested by the Yacht Designers & Surveyors Association (YBDSA) to give a presentation at their Annual Conference held on-board HMS Belfast, London earlier this month, to a gathering of Lawyers, Surveyors, Insurance representatives & others from the marine sector, on the pro’s and con’s of being an Expert Witness in the marine industry. Giving expert evidence, report writing and presenting such evidence in court plus personal experiences.
All Expert Witness reports and evidence, the production and presentation of reports & evidence is subject to the Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 (CPR part 35)
Overseas / European attendance was down due to travel restrictions, however the HMS Belfast wardroom was packed
HMS Belfast – Light Cruiser
HMS Belfast is a Town-class light cruiser that was built for the Royal Navy. She is now permanently moored as a museum ship on the River Thames in London and is operated by the Imperial War Museum.
Construction of Belfast, the first ship in the Royal Navy to be named after the capital city of Northern Ireland and one of ten Town-class cruisers, began in December 1936. She was launched on St Patrick’s Day 1938. Commissioned in early August 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany.
In November 1939, Belfast struck a German mine and, in spite of fears that she would be scrapped, spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Belfast returned to action in November 1942 with improved firepower, radar equipment, and armour.
Belfast saw action escorting Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union during 1943 and in December 1943 played an important role in the Battle of North Cape, assisting in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944, Belfast took part in Operation Overlord supporting the Normandy landings.
In June 1945, she was redeployed to the Far East to join the British Pacific Fleet, arriving shortly before the end of the Second World War. “Belfast” saw further combat action in 1950–52 during the Korean War and underwent an extensive modernisation between 1956 and 1959. A number of further overseas commissions followed before she entered reserve in 1963.
For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. Marine Surveyors & Consultants
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123
