The widows of two maritime workers who died in a tugboat accident on the River Clyde in 2007 have initiated legal action against the port managers and the boat operators.

On December 19th, 2007, the tugboat Flying Phantom capsized on the River Clyde in the early hours of the morning. At the time, the Flying Phantom was towing the 39,000 ton bulk carrier, Red Jasmine. The boat capsized and search and rescue efforts quickly turned into recovery operations as hopes for finding the three maritime workers (master of the boat Stephen Humphries, engineer Robert Cameron, and Eric Blackley) in the sub zero conditions disappeared.

According to an investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), there were several factors that contributed to the accident:

• The emergency release system for the winch had not operated quickly enough to prevent the boat from sinking.
• The Flying Phantom was girted or pulled over by the ship it was pulling.
• The routine that crew members followed before towing procedures or when entering fog areas was ineffective.
• The crew was not used in the "most effective manner.”
• There was a lack of set procedures for the tug operator when engaged in towing orations or in poor visibility.
• The tug's tow line emergency system did not meet international maritime standards.
• The port's safety management system had no single designated person in charge.

Now, Linda Cameron and Eileen Blackley have filed a lawsuit claiming the safety recommendations made by the MAIB were ignored.  Instead of acting on the recommendations and making efforts to prevent further accidents, Clydeport denied several of the allegations. Clydeport, the widows say, continues to risk the lives of maritime workers through its failure to invest in important safety systems, like a fog detection system.

Maritime Accidents

Investments in safety systems can protect workers from avoidable maritime accidents, like the one that killed three crew members on the Flying Phantom. Unfortunately, as maritime lawyers often see, company failure to invest time, effort, and resources in the establishment of safety procedures, systems, and devices, as well as training of marine workers, can result in preventable injures and fatalities.