The first report of our analysis of major claims in October last year set anew landmark for this Club and for the industry. The quest for improved quality in our membership and a reduction in claims are aims which mostP&l Clubs share, and it has been encouraging from an industry perspective to see how other Clubs have taken up the UK Club's initiative with their own similar claims analyses and are following our ship visit ideas in order to develop their own quality programmes.

In this report, we have been able to improve our data with detailed analyses of a further 500 claims and have also completed the first phase of the ship visit programme. The capability of the Club to develop its unique and substantial data for analytical purposes provides a most valuable resource and we have now linked in our ship visit programme to the claims research in order to give greater focus to our underlying determination to maintain and develop a membership of the highest possible quality.

This second report prepared by the Managers develops the preliminary conclusions of the first report and also incorporates the ship vetting conclusions. Its aim is to share with Members of the UK Club the factual information behind the major claims, so that Members can themselves consider what action to take to reduce the likelihood of having such a claim with all its consequences in terms of cost, disruption and damage to reputation.

The report also takes into account a number of Members' suggestions made in response to the first edition. The Managers would welcome further comment and ideas for improvement as they continue their research.

The detailed statistical data which underpins the report, together with the more general claims data which is now being collated by the Managers, provide a solid foundation for the UK Club to continue to lead in provision of practical advice to Members, improved services and more sophisticated underwriting techniques.

First class cover and support to all Members at the lowest possible cost is our continuing policy; the participation of the Member in applying the lessons emerging from the analysis is evidence of our mutual commitment to achieving the Club's aims.