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Firm admits failures over River Clyde Flying Phantom tug deaths Firm admits failures over River Clyde Flying Phantom tug deaths
(about 2 hours 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.
Svitzer Marine admitted "failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work" of the crew.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.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.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.
Andrew Henderson, a partner at Thompsons Solicitors, which has been acting for the victims' families said: "Today's guilty plea is to be welcomed but we must not forget that the families of the deceased have waited an unnecessarily long time for this to come to court.
"The widows and families of the deceased have been systematically failed by a system which has prolonged their grieving process by failing to hold a fatal accident inquiry to establish a clear picture of the events leading up to their loved ones deaths on that fateful night."
He added: "There has been an inability to learn lessons from the accident and prevent future tragedies due to a lack of FAI almost six years on from the deaths.
"While Svitzer's guilty plea will provide some comfort it remains to be seen what the High Court will deem a sufficient punishment."
Pat Rafferty, Scottish secretary for the union Unite, said: "The families of the deceased have been undeniably let down by an FAI system which is little more than a lottery as to whether tragedies like the Flying Phantom will be investigated.
"Unite has been calling on the Scottish government to fast-track legislation through the parliament which will radically overhaul and improve the system and today simply serves to reinforce these calls, not only for an FAI to determine exactly what happened on the night of 19 December 2007 but to ensure we have a robust and fit of purpose system for the future."