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| Tug death families demand inquiry | Tug death families demand inquiry |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The family of crew men who died when a 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. | Helen Humphreys and Linda Cameron, who lost their husbands when the Flying Phantom sank last year. |
| 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. | 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 port authority Clydeport and tug owners Svitzer. | |
| 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 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. |
| Eric Blackley (left) and Robert Cameron died in the tug MAIB investigation report 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. | Eric Blackley (left) and Robert Cameron died in the tug MAIB investigation report 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| "Recommendations made at that time haven't been enforced," she said. | "Recommendations made at that time haven't been enforced," she 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." | "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 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. | 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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "In 2004, Southampton Port installed a fog detection system. | "In 2004, Southampton Port installed a fog detection system. |
| "You have to ask the question, why is it that a fog detection system was not installed on the Clyde?" | "You have to ask the question, why is it that a fog detection system was not installed on the Clyde?" |
| Mr McGuire said a fog detection system could have been installed for about £30,000. | Mr McGuire said a fog detection system could have been installed for about £30,000. |
| Helen Humphrey and Linda Cameron remember their husbands | Helen Humphrey and Linda Cameron remember their husbands |
| He said Clydeport's assertion that this was "not practicable" was down to financial considerations. | He said Clydeport's assertion that this was "not practicable" was down to financial considerations. |
| It is now likely that the bereaved families will proceed with civil action for financial losses suffered as a result of the accident. | It is now likely that the bereaved families will proceed with civil action for financial losses suffered as a result of the accident. |
| 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. | 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. |
| He said that if this was found to be the case, the families would press the procurator fiscal to pursue corporate manslaughter charges. | He said that if this was found to be the case, the families would press the procurator fiscal to pursue corporate manslaughter charges. |
| The Scottish secretary of the union, Unite, John Quigley, said the report into the sinking of the Flying Phantom had UK-wide ramifications. | The Scottish secretary of the union, Unite, John Quigley, said the report into the sinking of the Flying Phantom had UK-wide ramifications. |
| "As a result of this damning report, Unite is calling for a public inquiry and for the Lord Advocate to bring charges of culpable homicide against Clydeport," he said. | "As a result of this damning report, Unite is calling for a public inquiry and for the Lord Advocate to bring charges of culpable homicide against Clydeport," he said. |
| "Our members go to work to provide for themselves and their families - not to suffer injury or death. | "Our members go to work to provide for themselves and their families - not to suffer injury or death. |
| "Unite will not let this issue slip and we shall be urging action on this report from ministers at the Scottish and UK Parliaments." | "Unite will not let this issue slip and we shall be urging action on this report from ministers at the Scottish and UK Parliaments." |
| A Clydeport spokesman said: "We are studying the report carefully but feel it inappropriate to comment while other investigations continue." | A Clydeport spokesman said: "We are studying the report carefully but feel it inappropriate to comment while other investigations continue." |