FISHING VESSEL SKIPPER FINED AFTER COLLIDING WITH TANKER IN BRISTOL CHANNEL
The skipper of a
Jeffry Demeester, the skipper of FV Deborah, appeared at West Hampshire Magistrates Court this morning.
During the early hours of
The FV Deborah was outward bound from Milford Haven heading towards
Shortly after 1am on 18 January and approximately 14 miles from the entrance to Milford Haven, the bow of the trawler ran into the port quarter of the tanker making a deep gash above the waterline on the side of the ship causing extensive damage. Nobody was injured and there was no reported pollution.
In sentencing, the Court took into consideration his previous good character and full cooperation with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in this matter as well as his early plea of guilty to the charges.
Robert Cotter, Surveyor in Charge at the MCA’s Cardiff Marine Office said:
"The rules state that every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. This incident is a direct result of that rule not being adhered to".
Ends
Notes to Editors:
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