Death vessel firm fined £500,000

Watch animation of the probable sinking events [QuickTime]

A Norwegian firm has been fined 5m kroner - almost £500,000 - after one of its vessels capsized off the coast of Scotland, with the loss of eight lives.

The Bourbon Dolphin sank off Shetland in April 2007.

Norway's national prosecutor said the new captain had not been given enough time to learn about the crew and ship, as he only had 90 minutes to take over.

Bourbon Offshore Norway can appeal against the order, but has not yet commented on the fine.

The Bourbon Dolphin was pulling a heavy anchor chain which suddenly slid across the side of the deck and started to drag the vessel over.

The two main engines stopped and seconds later the Bourbon Dolphin capsized.

The wreck of the ship sank three days after the incident in the Chevron field, 85 miles west of the Shetland coast.

The captain, Oddne Arve Remoy and his 14-year-old son David Remoy, who was visiting the ship, were among the victims.

Seven of the 15 crew survived.

In reports presented to a Commission of Inquiry set up by the Norwegian government, doubts were raised about the ability of both the vessel and its crew to handle large anchors in such deep water.