UK Ship Master Gets Suspended Sentence, Company Fined £180,000 in Fatal Baltic
Fatal Collision Highlights Maritime Safety Failures
A tragic incident off the coast of Sweden in December 2021 has led to significant legal consequences for a UK ship master and his management company. The collision resulted in the deaths of two crew members and has raised serious concerns about maritime safety protocols. The Southampton Crown Court recently handed down sentences to Sam Farrow, the ship master, and Intrada Ships Management Ltd, the company responsible for the vessel involved. This case underscores the critical need for adherence to safety regulations in the maritime industry.
Legal Consequences and Findings
Sam Farrow, 33, from London, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay £25,000 in costs. Intrada Ships Management Ltd faced a hefty fine of £180,000, along with £500,000 in costs. The incident occurred on December 13, 2021, when the UK-registered vessel, the *Scot Carrier*, collided with the Denmark-registered *Karin Hoj* in the Bornholmsgattet strait. This collision caused the *Karin Hoj* to capsize, leading to the tragic loss of two crew members.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) conducted a thorough investigation that revealed serious safety breaches aboard the *Scot Carrier*. The Second Officer, who was the only person on watch, had consumed alcohol and was distracted by activities on a tablet computer. Alarmingly, critical navigation alarms had also been disabled, which contributed to the disaster. Judge Peter Henry, during sentencing, remarked that this was “an accident waiting to happen.” Farrow pleaded guilty to failing to operate the ship according to safety management regulations, despite being aware that his Second Officer was not fulfilling watchkeeping duties.
The case against Intrada Ships Management Ltd revealed a troubling pattern of negligence. The company had previously been warned about the dangers of allowing officers to conduct solo watchkeeping duties, yet they failed to take corrective measures. After a four-week trial, Intrada was found guilty of operating a ship unsafely under Section 100 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Judge Henry emphasized that the failure to provide adequate lookouts was the most significant oversight, compounded by a lack of proper oversight and enforcement of bridge discipline among the crew.
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The investigation by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) uncovered multiple failures on both vessels involved. Neither watchkeeper took the necessary actions to prevent the collision, and the watchkeeper on the *Scot Carrier* made course changes without conducting proper safety checks. In light of these findings, the MAIB has issued recommendations for the management company to review its navigational audit results and assess additional training needs. Furthermore, the MCA has been advised to remind the shipping industry of the mandatory requirement for an additional lookout during nighttime operations and in conditions of restricted visibility.
Mark Flavell, a senior maritime investigator with the MCA, expressed condolences for the families affected by this tragedy, stating, “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the two men who lost their lives on the *Karin Hoj*.” This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict adherence to maritime safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
