Article 16 Report by navigation expert

Before a trial at which evidence is to be given on the navigation of one of Her Majesty’s ships or vessels, the president shall, unless he considers the circumstances such that the following procedure would serve no practical purpose, order the documents referred to in Order 15 to be handed to one or more navigating or other competent officers and shall direct such officer or officers to work up the ship’s reckoning throughout the material time. The result, together with such other details as may be required, is to be delivered to the court as a report given in such form as the president may require, completed in all relevant aspects and attested by the signature of the officer or officers so directed. The officer or officers are to be sworn and available for cross-examination by both prosecution and defence as to the accuracy of that work.

With their report the officer or officers shall also deliver to the court a copy of the tracing of the chart by which the ship was navigated on which the positions of the ship so determined had been laid off, and also the determined position when aground or in danger, as noted in the log book. The rate and direction of the current and of the tidal stream and the state of the tide shall also, if possible, be ascertained and stated in the report.