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Firm admits failures over River Clyde Flying Phantom tug deaths Firm admits failures over River Clyde Flying Phantom tug deaths
(34 minutes later)
The owner of a tug boat which sank in the River Clyde killing three crew has admitted health and safety failures.The owner of a tug boat which sank in the River Clyde killing three crew has admitted health and safety failures.
Stephen Humphreys, 33, Eric Blackley, 57, and Robert Cameron, 65, died when the Flying Phantom capsized in thick fog in December 2007.Stephen Humphreys, 33, Eric Blackley, 57, and Robert Cameron, 65, died when the Flying Phantom capsized in thick fog in December 2007.
At the High Court in Glasgow, tug company Svitzer Marine Limited pleaded guilty to a series of charges.At the High Court in Glasgow, tug company Svitzer Marine Limited pleaded guilty to a series of charges.
It admitted failing to put in place a safe operating procedure after a previous grounding in December 2000.It admitted failing to put in place a safe operating procedure after a previous grounding in December 2000.
The Flying Phantom, which was based at Greenock, was trying to guide a cargo vessel to a dock when it sank opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire on 19 December 2007.The Flying Phantom, which was based at Greenock, was trying to guide a cargo vessel to a dock when it sank opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire on 19 December 2007.
Crewman Brian Aitchison, from Coldingham, was rescued from the water after he managed to escape from the tug's wheelhouse.Crewman Brian Aitchison, from Coldingham, was rescued from the water after he managed to escape from the tug's wheelhouse.
The bodies of skipper Mr Humphreys, from Greenock in Inverclyde, along with Mr Cameron, from Houston in Renfrewshire, and Mr Blackley, from Gourock, Inverclyde, were later recovered.The bodies of skipper Mr Humphreys, from Greenock in Inverclyde, along with Mr Cameron, from Houston in Renfrewshire, and Mr Blackley, from Gourock, Inverclyde, were later recovered.
The tug itself was raised in a salvage operation the following month.The tug itself was raised in a salvage operation the following month.
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) inquiry later found that the boat's towing winch had not released quickly enough, which meant it was capsized by the vessel it was pulling. Svitzer Marine admitted "failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work" of the crew.
The Flying Phantom suffered £150,000 of damage when a vessel it was towing on the Clyde in 2000 collided with the tug in similar circumstances, the court heard.
An earlier Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) inquiry found that in the December 2007 incident the boat's towing winch had not released quickly enough, which meant it was capsized by the vessel it was pulling.
The report also highlighted failings in procedure to ensure the tug operated safely in foggy weather.The report also highlighted failings in procedure to ensure the tug operated safely in foggy weather.