Sailor jailed for sea crash killing

Sailor jailed for sea crash killing

Mr D'Esterre Roberts was officer on watch of the Dutch ship Aquamarine

A sailor who caused a shipping crash off the Sussex coast which killed a sea captain has been convicted of manslaughter and jailed for a year.

Lewes Crown Court heard how Brian Norcutt D'Esterre Roberts, 39, was chatting to a cadet on the bridge of the 4,700 Dutch Aquamarine when he should have been watching the shipping lanes for other vessels.

The cargo ship steamed on under auto pilot and rammed into the back of the 1,000 tonne Ash eight miles off Hastings in October 2001.

As a result of the crash, 58-year-old Wolfram Gross, from Germany, who was captain of the Ash, died.

Life jacket lost

The court heard the Aquamarine was travelling in the same direction as the Ash, but twice as quickly.

It struck the rear of the Ash which was carrying steel to Spain, holing it below the water line.

The six-strong crew of the Ash abandoned ship but Mr Gross lost his life jacket and died after being winched to safety from the sea.

The court heard the death of the captain could have been avoided if it was not for the negligence of Irish-born first officer Roberts.

Mr D'Esterre-Roberts had denied manslaughter but admitted a charge of breaching or neglecting his duty to prevent his ship colliding with another vessel, causing the loss of the ship or the injury or death of another crew member.

Following the verdict on Thursday, John Astbury, director of operations at the Maritime Coastguard Agency, said: "This tragic accident clearly demonstrates how vitally important it is for any person who is charge of the navigation of a vessel to maintain a proper and effective lookout."