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Tug death families demand inquiry Tug death families demand inquiry
(41 minutes later)
The family of crew men who died when their tug capsized in the River Clyde have called for a public inquiry. The family of crew men who died when a tug capsized in the River Clyde have called for a public inquiry.
Helen Humphreys and Linda Cameron, who lost their husbands when the Flying Phantom sank last year, said they wanted to prevent a similar incident.Helen Humphreys and Linda Cameron, who lost their husbands when the Flying Phantom sank last year, said they wanted to prevent a similar incident.
Their comments came after a report said the vessel had capsized, with the loss of three lives, because a towing winch did not release fast enough. Their call came after a report said the vessel had capsized, with the loss of three lives, because a towing winch did not release fast enough.
The families said they were considering legal action against Clydeport.The families said they were considering legal action against Clydeport.
And they said they would urge the procurator fiscal to consider corporate manslaughter charges if it was found that there had been a criminal breach of the existing rules.And they said they would urge the procurator fiscal to consider corporate manslaughter charges if it was found that there had been a criminal breach of the existing rules.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the sinking also criticised the port, saying its risk assessment was "poor". The Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the sinking criticised the port, saying its risk assessment was "poor".
It called on port operator Clydeport to review its safety procedures.It called on port operator Clydeport to review its safety procedures.
The Flying Phantom went down without warning on 19 December.The Flying Phantom went down without warning on 19 December.
The bodies of three crew - skipper Stephen Humphreys, 33, from Greenock, Eric Blackley, 57, from Gourock, and Robert Cameron, 65, from Houston - were later recovered.The bodies of three crew - skipper Stephen Humphreys, 33, from Greenock, Eric Blackley, 57, from Gourock, and Robert Cameron, 65, from Houston - were later recovered.
Another crewman, Brian Aitchison, 37, from Coldingham, was rescued from the water after he managed to escape from the tug's wheelhouse.Another crewman, Brian Aitchison, 37, from Coldingham, was rescued from the water after he managed to escape from the tug's wheelhouse.
Eric Blackley (left) and Robert Cameron died in the tug MAIB investigation reportEric Blackley (left) and Robert Cameron died in the tug MAIB investigation report
The investigation identified a number of factors which contributed to the accident. Speaking at a news conference in Glasgow, Mrs Cameron said she was in a state of "disbelief" after learning that the Flying Phantom had ran aground in fog in 2000.
It found that the emergency release system for the towing winch had operated, but not quickly enough to prevent the tug capsizing. "Recommendations made at that time haven't been enforced," she said.
The Flying Phantom was girted, which means pulled over by the boat it was pulling, the MAIB said. "Some action has been taken, but not enough to ensure that similar accidents don't happen again and other families don't have to suffer the devastation which we've suffered."
The report also highlighted a string of failings in procedures to ensure the tug operated safely in foggy weather. The families' lawyer, Frank McGuire of Thomson's Solicitors, said a public inquiry was needed to explain why recommendations from other incidents had not been put in place.
It found that the routine the tug crew followed before towing or entering fog was "ineffective", with the watertight engine room door left open and the crew not being used in the most effective manner once in the fog. "The report says that understanding the likelihood of fog occurring and having a reliable system in place that detects fog as early as possible are important aspects of managing the safety of a commercial port.
There were also no defined procedures for the tug operators when assisting or towing in restricted visibility, it said. "In 2004, Southampton Port installed a fog detection system.
The tug, owned by the Danish firm Svitzer, was based at Greenock. "You have to ask the question, why is it that a fog detection system was not installed on the Clyde?"
The bodies of Eric Blackley (left) and Robert Cameron were found in the tug Financial considerations
It sank opposite Clydebank College in West Dunbartonshire and was raised in a salvage operation in January. Mr McGuire said a fog detection system could have been installed for about £30,000.
The port was also criticised. The report said the few control measures that had been put in place after a previous similar serious accident in thick fog proved ineffective. He said Clydeport's assertion that this was "not practicable" was down to financial considerations.
Major shortcomings in the port's safety management system were also overlooked because there was no "designated person" in charge, the report found. It is now likely that the bereaved families will proceed with civil action for financial losses suffered as a result of the accident.
The accident investigators made a number of recommendations, including that Clydeport appoint someone as "designated person" under the Port Marine Safety Code. Mr McGuire also said that it would be up to the lord advocate to decide if there had been any "criminal behaviour" in relation to alleged health and safety breaches.
The report said that UK ports appeared not to have learnt lessons from accidents at other ports. He said that if this was found to be the case, the families would press the procurator fiscal to pursue corporate manslaughter charges.
It also highlighted the lack of an accepted international industry standard for tug tow line emergency release systems, and asked risk management organisation Lloyd's Register to develop a standard to ensure tow lines can be released effectively in an emergency. A Clydeport spokesman said: "We are studying the report carefully but feel it inappropriate to comment while other investigations continue."