2.2.7.6 In addition to requiring both patience and understanding, successful interviewing requires the existence of a "no-blame" atmosphere in which the witness can be made to feel comfortable and is encouraged to tell the truth. It is not the role of the interviewer, or indeed the investigation team, to apportion blame. Their role is to establish the facts and to establish why the occurrence happened.
2.2.7.7 At the end of an interview the discussion should be summarised to make sure that no misunderstandings exist. A written record may be made of the interview and this may be discussed with the witness to clarify any anomalies. Subject to any national law, it may be possible to provide the interviewee with a copy of the written record.
2.2.8 Selection of interviewees
Established marine casualty and incident investigation procedures should be taken into account when determining whom to interview following a marine casualty. Safety concerns should be paramount in the scheduling of interviews.
The aim should always be to get the investigation team to the site of the occurrence as soon as possible and to interview those most closely involved, which in the marine sense will always be the ship first. When that is not possible due to external factors such as the geographical location of the occurrence or political considerations, it may be possible to nominate a local representative to carry out an interim investigation. From an investigation management point of view, it should be possible to start the process by carrying out at least some interviews of individuals ashore.
It may not be possible to speak directly with port or pilotage authorities in some parts of the world. Where that is so, every effort should be made to obtain at least a transcript of the pilot's statement if one is involved, In the event of a collision in enclosed waters, evidence from the operators of shore-based electronic surveillance equipment can be particularly useful.
There are no "hard and fast" rules for selecting whom to interview, and the following is offered as an example only:
2.2.8.1 On site (those nearest the incident)
Generally it is beneficial to begin the interview process with the ship management team, including the master and chief engineer, who typically can provide an overview of the occurrence.
- First-hand witnesses present at the occurrence site at the time of the occurrence itself, regardless of rank/position in the organization.
- First-hand witnesses present at the occurrence site at the time of the occurrence itself, but from outside the Organization, for instance berthing or mooring assistants, or visiting personnel such as agents or contractors.
- First-hand witnesses present at the time of the occurrence but not at the occurrence location itself, for instance ship's staff on the bridge of a ship witnessing a mooring occurrence on the main deck below.
- First-hand witnesses present at the time of the occurrence but not at the occurrence location itself and from outside the organization, for instance a pilot on the bridge witnessing a mooring occurrence on the main deck below.
- Those not involved with the occurrence itself but involved in the immediate aftermath of an occurrence, for instance those engaged in damage control, shipboard fire-fighting or first-aid medical treatment.
