Marine expert witness - Crew fatality

Maria Asumpta

The sailing ship Maria Asumpta sank off the North Cornwall coast in 1995 with the loss of three crew.  

The Crown alleged that the Captain of Maria Asumpta set a dangerous course before the 137 year old vessel was driven towards treacherous rocks, off Padstow, forcing him to rely on his engines which he knew to be fuelled by contaminated diesel.  

When the engines failed and the Captain could not steer out of trouble the ship broke up on rocks at Rumps Point.  Eleven people were rescued and survived but three people died in the sinking.

Historically Maritime Services (International) had supplied a relief Captain to the ship for a delivery voyage and, with the prosecution of the Captain and Owner of the Maria Asumpta pending, MSI were approached to provide an Expert Opinion on the passage planning aspect of the case prior to trial.