Meet the Team

Karley Smith, a Managing Master Mariner in our Liverpool office, has a career in the maritime industry that spans over 18 years.  During this time, she has served on a variety of vessels, including drillships, offshore supply, tankers, ferries, and superyachts.  Her broad experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of ship operations, navigation, cargo management, and maritime safety.

Her career included a notable shift from the offshore sector to the superyacht industry, where she worked on a 140-metre exploration motor yacht.

“The transition to the superyacht sector was quite a change,” Karley recalls.  “When you’re used to the operational demands of the offshore industry, moving into superyachts presents a different set of challenges.  It’s not just about luxury; it’s about precision, especially during the build phase.  I joined my first superyacht while the vessel was still in the yard, so I was involved in commissioning the bridge equipment and participating in the sea trials.  It was a fantastic experience to see the vessel come together from scratch and then launch successfully.”

This wealth of experience gave Karley invaluable insights into the intricacies of different vessel types, from the technical demands of offshore operations to the luxury standards expected in the superyacht industry.  “Having a diverse seafaring background has been incredibly useful,” she explains.  “Each sector has its own unique complexities, and understanding those nuances is key when you’re dealing with the challenges that arise in maritime consultancy.”

After deciding to come ashore, Karley joined Brookes Bell in June 2022 as a Maser Mariner and quickly adapted to her new responsibilities.  “When you first start at Brookes Bell, you’re introduced to a broad range of areas,” she explains.  “You are given the opportunity to experience different fields – from ship inspections involving cargo claims to desktop reviews of VDR data following an incident – so that you can find where your strengths lie.  It was a steep learning curve, but I was able to draw on my seafaring experience to adapt.”

Karley's initial work involved various aspects of consultancy, including conducting vessel inspections, investigating marine incidents, and handling cargo damage assessments. Specialising in cargo stowage and securing, MADAS replays, and offshore dispute investigations (which involve acting as a maritime expert), she currently plays a crucial role in advising clients on safe and efficient vessel operations. Her experience with dynamic positioning during offshore operations has been particularly beneficial in handling complex offshore disputes.

“Having hands-on experience with dynamic positioning was invaluable,” Karley says.  “It’s a complex technical area and understanding it from an operational perspective has been a significant advantage when analysing offshore disputes.”

Her work extends across multiple sectors, including commercial shipping, offshore operations, and the superyacht industry.  “I enjoy the diversity,” she says.  “No one day is the same.  I could be analysing data from a vessel’s voyage data recorder, or I might be consulting on a warranty dispute for a new build yacht.  It’s this variety that makes working at Brookes Bell so engaging.”

Contributing to Brookes Bell’s Expertise

As Managing Master Mariner, Karley contributes to our portfolio of consultancy services.  She has been actively involved in casualty investigations, marine claims and vessel surveys.  Her background serving on board various vessel types gives her a unique perspective on handling complex maritime challenges, both operational and regulatory.

Her involvement with warranty disputes, particularly with new builds in the superyacht industry, is one of her key areas of expertise.  “When a new superyacht is handed over, you expect perfection,” she notes.  “Owners have invested a significant amount, so any defects, no matter how minor, become major concerns.  Our role is to provide an independent assessment, to consider what is reasonable.  It's not just about finding faults; it's about understanding what’s practical and feasible from a technical standpoint, and that requires knowledge of shipbuilding and operations.”

Karley also highlights her work with the multi-disciplinary team.  “I’ve been on surveys with engineers and scientists, and collected samples for analysis at to The Lab,” she explains.  “It is one of the benefits of Brookes Bell.  We have such a diverse range of specialists, from metallurgists to cargo scientists, engineers and naval architects, and being able to work alongside them means we can tackle complex cases with a holistic view.  It really broadens your knowledge and allows you to offer more comprehensive advice to clients.”

Karley’s professional credentials reflect her dedication and expertise in the maritime sector.  She holds a Master Mariner Unlimited Certificate of Competence, and a Dynamic Positioning Unlimited Certificate.  Her academic achievements include studies at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, where she completed her foundation degree, and later achieved her BSc in Nautical Science at Liverpool John Moores University.

Beyond her consultancy work, Karley is actively involved in the wider maritime community.  Recently, she was admitted as a Younger Brother of Trinity House.  “Being part of Trinity House is something quite special,” she says.  “It’s a prestigious organisation with a long history, and being able to contribute to its committees is an opportunity to influence decisions that impact the maritime sector.  I’m looking forward to bringing my recent seafaring experience to the table and working alongside others who are also passionate about the industry.”

Karley's involvement also extends to promoting careers at sea and raising awareness of women in the maritime industry.  She was part of the team at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, where she attended the Women in Yachting seminar, which included discussions on the role of women in yachting and the importance of sustainability in the sector.  “It’s important to raise the profile of women in maritime,” she adds.  “There are so many career paths in this industry that people aren't necessarily aware of, and by being visible and sharing our experiences, we can encourage more women to pursue careers at sea or within the maritime industry.”

Karley’s journey from the sea to the shore is marked by her pursuit of excellence, and her dedication to maritime safety and operations.  “Whether I’m investigating an incident, advising on cargo damage, or providing expert witness testimony, I approach each case with the same level of detail and commitment,” she says.  “The industry is constantly evolving, and I’m proud to be part of a team at Brookes Bell that not only adapts to these changes but also helps shape them.”