Delays over tug tragedy probe

Lorraine Tinney • Published 4 Jul 2009 14:00

A CRIMINAL investigation into a tugboat disaster that claimed three men"s lives is still being considered, more than a year after the tragedy.

Strathclyde Police and the procurator fiscal are still looking into the circumstances of the sinking of the Flying Phantom on the Clyde.

A decision on how best to take the inquiry forward is expected within the next 12 months.

The boat sank on 17 December 2007, with Greenock skipper Stephen Humphreys, Gourock crewman Eric Blackley and engineer Robert Cameron, from Houston, on board.

The men"s widows have started a civil action against port authority Clydeport and tug operator Svitzer Marine following a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Legal action has been prompted by the fact Clydeport has not implemented the findings of the report, which criticised the port authority for not fitting a £30,000 fog-detection system, after a similar incident involving the Flying Phantom in 2000.

Svitzer Marine should have ensured the crew had special training in navigating in poor visibility, according to the report.

Lawyers at Thompsons Solicitors, who are representing the family, have been fighting for improvements but the Health and Safety Executive and Maritime and Coastguard Agency have limited enforcement powers and say changes are up to the port authority.

A letter from the Department of Transport to union officials confirmed this, saying changes can only be made in consultation with Clydeport and cannot be imposed.

Paul Clark, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, wrote: 'Strathclyde Police and the procurator fiscal will make a decision on whether any further prosecution, or other investigation in the form of a fatal accident inquiry, or a more general public inquiry should be instigated.

'The latest information we have received is that a decision on how to proceed is expected in the next year.'

Strathclyde Police confirmed an investigation is still ongoing. Clydeport refutes many of the claims made by the bereaved families.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 04 Jul 09

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