Seminar: Look-out, Law and Liability

Fleetwood Nautical College was pleased to host the Northwest England and North Wales Branch of The Nautical Institute for its annual seminar on 21 May 2026.

This year’s event focused on the important theme of Look-out, Law and Liability, with particular attention given to COLREGs Rule 5, which requires every vessel to maintain a proper look-out by sight, hearing and all available means.

The seminar attracted more than 60 attendees, including deck cadets from Fleetwood Nautical Campus and maritime delegates from across the region. The event gave cadets the opportunity to explore the real-world consequences of failing to follow collision regulations and safe watchkeeping practices at sea.

A key part of the seminar was a highly realistic mock criminal trial, based on a collision scenario involving a ferry and a fishing vessel. The trial examined issues including watchkeeping standards, communication, decision-making, risk of collision and the responsibility of those on the bridge.

Senior cadets Morgan Sandford and Heidi Cockfield took on the roles of the defendants, representing the second officer and lookout. Their professionalism and commitment helped bring the scenario to life for the audience.

The trial was presided over by The Honourable Mr Justice Andrew Baker KC, with Mr Peter Thornton MBE FNI acting as prosecution counsel and Mr David MacLeod FNI as defence counsel. A jury made up of lay people considered the evidence before reaching its verdict.

Following the trial, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insight into the legal process, maritime responsibilities and the importance of maintaining high professional standards at sea.

Eleanore Green, Jury Foreperson, reflected on the experience:

“What stood out most was how preventable the situation appeared once everything had been laid out. Small decisions, things that may have felt routine or insignificant at the time, were shown to have created a chain of events that ultimately led to loss of life.”

She added that the experience reinforced the importance of communication, awareness and responsibility in maritime operations.

The seminar delivered a clear and powerful message for those training to enter the maritime industry: maintaining standards, staying alert and communicating effectively are not just professional expectations, they are essential to preventing serious incidents at sea.

Fleetwood Nautical Campus would like to thank The Nautical Institute, all guest speakers, the participating cadets, jurors and everyone involved in delivering such a valuable and thought-provoking event.

Read the full article in Seaways

To read the full Look-out, Law and Liability article published in Seaways magazine, visit the Nautical Institute website: Read the article here.

Please note that access to the article requires a valid Nautical Institute membership and login. If you're not already a member, you can find information about joining through The Nautical Institute website.