Ferry and Passenger Vessel Expert Witness
A passenger vessel carries people who have no training, no say in how the boat is run, and every reason to assume someone is watching out for them. That is why the duties on these vessels are strict, and why a short lapse by the crew can turn an ordinary trip into a lawsuit.
Captain Stoller reviews passenger vessel incidents for counsel, from harbor ferries and dinner cruise boats to excursion vessels and cruise ships.
Issues Captain Stoller evaluates
- Lookout, speed, and bridge practice on ferries and excursion boats
- Crew training, drills, and emergency procedures
- Passenger medical emergencies and evacuation planning
- Boarding, gangways, and tenders
- Capacity and crowd management
- Lifesaving equipment and passenger briefings
- Coast Guard passenger vessel rules (46 CFR Subchapters H, K, and T)
- Limitation of liability proceedings after passenger casualties
Why his background fits
He knows the operational side of carrying people and cargo safely, and he has reviewed passenger vessel cases involving ferries and river excursion boats.
Documents to gather
Certificate of inspection, crew list and licenses, drill logs, emergency plans, passenger counts, bridge and engine logs, video, CG-2692 report.
Common questions
Who sets the rules for small passenger vessels?
The Coast Guard, through inspection rules that vary with the vessel's size and the number of passengers it carries.
Is a ferry captain allowed to act as his own lookout?
Lookout duties depend on conditions and the vessel. Whether one person could do both jobs safely at that moment is often the core question.
Does he handle cruise ship cases?
Yes, on the operational side: crew practice, emergency response, and vessel procedures.