Principal Master Mariner
AFRIN, AFNI, HCMM
work
Liverpool
Career Summary
Dominic Bell is a Master Mariner with command experience. He joined Brookes Bell in January 2020, became Senior Master Mariner in October 2022 and Principal Master Mariner in July 2024. Previously, Dominic held a position as Marine Manager with Seatruck Ferries Ltd. and sailed as Master with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd. During his 20 years at sea, he sailed on various ship types, including freight ferries, Ro-Pax and high-speed passenger ferries and various naval auxiliaries.
Background
Dominic has considerable ship management experience as a Marine Manager, Designated Person Ashore, Company Security Officer and Crisis Manager.
He has extensive pilotage and ship-handling experience on various ship types, having served as a marine pilot and held pilotage exemption certificates as Master.
Dominic has carried out a variety of survey and opinion-based work since joining Brookes Bell - listed at the end of this CV. He leads Brookes Bell’s electronic navigation analysis services and has prepared replays of navigational incidents using the Company’s Marine Accident Data Analysis Suite (MADAS), which have been used during Arbitration and Court proceedings in the UK.
Dominic is regularly instructed by ship owners and management companies to advise on operations, undertake accident investigations, vessel inspections and navigation assessments.
He has prepared technical reports and given evidence as an expert witness in Arbitration and Court proceedings in the UK and has experience participating in Mediation.
In respect of Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs), Dominic has collaborated with other consultancies and developers, providing expert advice and assistance on the subject of Shipping and Navigation, including Navigation Risk Assessments (NRAs), and participated in a number of Planning Inspectorate public hearings.
Professional Qualifications
- Master – Unlimited – II/2
- Lead Auditor ISM
- Navigation Assessor (Nautical Institute NA00092)
Academic Qualifications
- Higher National Diploma (Nautical Science)
Professional Associations
- Nautical Institute (Associate Fellow)
- Royal Institute of Navigation (Associate Fellow)
- Freeman of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners (HCMM)
Previous Employment History
- Seatruck Ferries Ltd. – Marine Manager
Served as Marine Manager for 12 years, DPA, CSO and Crisis Manager for a fleet of 12 Class 7 Ro-Ros. Extensive knowledge of the ISM Code. Assisted in the development of the company’s SMS, risk assessment system, re-wrote the crisis management procedures and instigated a bespoke simulator-based BRM course. Led accident investigations into several major casualties (including RIVERDANCE). Undertook the majority of safety and security audits and developed/led the Company’s vessel inspection regime.
- Associated British Ports – Marine Pilot (Humber)
Pilotage of various ship types on the Humber estuary, River Ouse and River Trent.
- Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd. – Master
Ro-Pax and High-Speed Passenger Craft (HSC). PECs for Liverpool and Heysham. Re-wrote HSC operating and training procedures.
- Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd. – Chief Officer
Ro-Pax, HSC and Class 7 Ro-Ros. Responsibilities included the safe loading/discharging and stability of vessels. Assisted in re‑fits and dry-docks.
- Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service – Second Officer
Senior bridge-watchkeeper, navigating and operations officer.
Surveying and Consultancy Experience
Damage to and/or loss involving:
- Break bulk cargoes
- Port structure assessment following vessel contact
- Structural damage to vessels
Advice and supervision:
- Condition surveys for redelivery
- Flag State Administration audits (Hong Kong)
- Loading bulk scrap metal cargo
- ‘What-if’ scenarios (conduct between vessels)
- Navigation Assessments and Audits (on board)
- Navigation Risk Assessments (NRAs) - Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs)
- Navigational Risk Assessments (ports and rivers)
- Route operational assessment (ferry service)
- Resource management assessments (ferry service)
- Ship simulations (as part of NRAs and for assessment of suitability of port layouts)
- Vessel inspections (in preparation for Port State Control)
Investigation into and providing expert opinion on:
- Analysis of bridge team actions following collision
- Analysis of crew actions in the event of, and during, fire incidents
- Berthing investigations (including Mississippi)
- Collisions/allisions
- Conduct of vessels
- Disputes arising from pilot transfer arrangements
- Fatal accidents
- Groundings
- ISM matters (including SMS and ship management)
- Lashing and securing of cargo
- Loss overboard of container cargoes
- Loss overboard of project cargoes, (including wind turbine equipment)
- MSG Prospector AIS playback analysis
- Personal injury resulting from failed pilot transfer arrangements
- Port State Control detentions
- Redelivery disputes
- Speed and consumption performance disputes
- Standards of seamanship, including application of the Collision Regulations
- VDR, AIS and MADAS analysis of collisions, allisions and groundings