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Navy officer crashed yacht into oil tanker after sailing too close, court told Navy officer crashed yacht into oil tanker after sailing too close, court told
(35 minutes later)
A Royal Navy lieutenant crashed his racing yacht into an oil tanker during a regatta off the Isle of Wight despite having seen the huge vessel from five miles away, a court was told.A Royal Navy lieutenant crashed his racing yacht into an oil tanker during a regatta off the Isle of Wight despite having seen the huge vessel from five miles away, a court was told.
One crew member leapt from the yacht into the water seconds before the collision and a second suffered a head injury, a district judge at Southampton magistrates court heard.One crew member leapt from the yacht into the water seconds before the collision and a second suffered a head injury, a district judge at Southampton magistrates court heard.
Roland Wilson, 32, was skippering his 10-metre yacht, Atalanta of Chester, on the first day of the Cowes Week regatta when he had his close encounter with the 260-metre tanker Hanne Knutsen. Roland Wilson, 32, was skippering his 10-metre (33ft) yacht, Atalanta of Chester, on the first day of the Cowes Week regatta when he had his close encounter with the 260-metre (850ft) tanker Hanne Knutsen.
Wilson, who was a serving navy officer at the time of the accident and is now a reservist, is accused of failing to comply with local shipping bylaws, which required him to stay a certain distance from a large vessel. He denies three counts of contravening maritime regulations.Wilson, who was a serving navy officer at the time of the accident and is now a reservist, is accused of failing to comply with local shipping bylaws, which required him to stay a certain distance from a large vessel. He denies three counts of contravening maritime regulations.
Charles Row, prosecuting, said the Atalanta, which had a crew of eight, was at the back of its race at the time of the incident.Charles Row, prosecuting, said the Atalanta, which had a crew of eight, was at the back of its race at the time of the incident.
He said: "The sea was calm, visibility was excellent, in excess of 10 miles (16km), with 10 to 12 knots of wind." Row said the Hanne Knutsen, which was heading to the Fawley oil refinery, had changed its course after a small motor boat suffered engine failure close to it.He said: "The sea was calm, visibility was excellent, in excess of 10 miles (16km), with 10 to 12 knots of wind." Row said the Hanne Knutsen, which was heading to the Fawley oil refinery, had changed its course after a small motor boat suffered engine failure close to it.
The prosecutor said the Atalanta should not have been as close to the tanker as she was - and Wilson should have turned on his engines to power away when the larger vessel altered direction. Row said: "She was still attempting to manoeuvre under sail power alone." The prosecutor said the Atalanta should not have been as close to the tanker as it was – and Wilson should have turned on his engines to power away when the larger vessel altered direction. Row said: "She was still attempting to manoeuvre under sail power alone."
Because the yacht was close to the tanker she became stranded in its "wind shadow", which left her sails flapping helplessly. "One of the crew took the decision to abandon ship approximately five or six seconds before the collision," said Row. Because the yacht was close to the tanker it became stranded in its "wind shadow", which left its sails flapping helplessly. "One of the crew took the decision to abandon ship approximately five or six seconds before the collision," said Row.
"He passed down the starboard side of the Hanne Knutsen and was picked up by a spectator vessel. The Atalanta mast struck the bow of the Hanne Knutsen and was pivoted round to the port."He passed down the starboard side of the Hanne Knutsen and was picked up by a spectator vessel. The Atalanta mast struck the bow of the Hanne Knutsen and was pivoted round to the port.
"She was dismasted and one of her crew suffered head injuries which required hospital treatment. Mercifully there was no other injury as a result of what happened.""She was dismasted and one of her crew suffered head injuries which required hospital treatment. Mercifully there was no other injury as a result of what happened."
District judge Anthony Calloway, who is hearing the trial, was shown what Row described as "infamous YouTube footage" of the crash, which happened in August 2011. District Judge Anthony Calloway, who is hearing the trial, was shown what Row described as "infamous YouTube footage" of the crash, which happened in August 2011.
The footage shows the Atalanta, which had a bright pink sail, cross the path of Hanne Knutsen and crash into its side. Screams can be heard from spectators.The footage shows the Atalanta, which had a bright pink sail, cross the path of Hanne Knutsen and crash into its side. Screams can be heard from spectators.
Row stated that Wilson, from Stanley in Perthshire, said in interview he had no formal sailing qualification but had been racing for eight years. The court was told that smaller boats are obliged to maintain a moving prohibited zone (MPZ) of 1,000m (0.6 miles) in front and 100m (328ft) either side of a vessel greater than 150m (492ft). Row stated that Wilson, from Stanley in Perthshire, had said in an interview he had no formal sailing qualification but had been racing for eight years. The court was told that smaller boats were obliged to maintain a moving prohibited zone (MPZ) of 1,000 metres (3,280ft) in front and 100 metres (328ft) either side of a vessel greater than 150 metres (492ft).
The trial continues.The trial continues.
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