Sentenced to 9 Months for fatal collision
By:
Chris Anderson
26/02/2015
MCA
On the 8th June 2014 the “Shoreway”, a 98
metre 5000 tonne dredger, owned by Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster NV,
collided with a Moody 31 sailing yacht “Orca” at the entrance to the
River Orwell in Suffolk. At the helm of the Shoreway at the time was Mr
Gerardus Chapel who was employed as Chief Mate.
The Shoreway had just finished dredging in Felixstowe and was going out
to sea to dump the spoils. The Shoreway for an unknown reason left the
deep water channel into an area frequented by pleasure vessels. In the
area was the “Orca”, which was owned by Peter and Bernadine Ingram, who
lived locally, were out for a day’s sailing in their yacht that they had
owned for several years. Also on board the “Orca” were the Ingram’s
two pet collie dogs.
The “Shoreway” hit the “Orca” head on and cut a large hole in the vessel’s
starboard side. The “Orca” sank almost immediately. Mr Ingram and one
of his dogs managed to swim to the surface, but his wife and other dog
were caught in the wreckage. Mrs Ingram’s body was recovered by divers
the following day, along with their dog.
At the time of the collision, the visibility was perfect and the weather
was fine.
When interviewed by MCA Enforcement Officers, Mr Chapel, who had been a
qualified Captain for several years, admitted that he just did not see
the yacht, even though it was clearly visible and on radar.
Mr Chapel was sentenced to nine months, reduced to six months which has
been suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to conduct endangering
ships, structures or individuals, section 58 Merchant Shipping act 1995.
In passing sentence His Hon Judge Devaux said “Chapel accepted responsibility,
co-operated and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.
“However, his failure to keep a proper watch caused Mrs Ingram’s death.”
Captain Roger Towner, Assistant Director from the MCA’s Maritime Safety
& Standards branch said that it was clearly evident that Mr Chapel
had failed to keep a proper lookout by all available means, which resulted
in this tragic incident.
