A boat fire can happen quickly, but understanding what happened afterward can take considerably longer. By the time investigators examine the vessel, flames may be gone, compartments may be heavily damaged, and important systems may have been affected by both heat and firefighting efforts. The remaining physical evidence can still help establish a sequence of events. By examining the vessel...

Electrical systems are easy to overlook when people think about marine accidents. Attention often goes first to engines, navigation, weather, or visible structural damage. Yet modern vessels depend on electricity for many essential functions, from propulsion controls and steering equipment to navigation systems, communications, pumps, alarms, and lighting. When an electrical system develops a...