Q Radio News
The captain of a ship that ran aground at Rathlin Island has been fined £1,000 at Armagh Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to failing to keep a proper look out.
It follows an incident on the 10th of October when Captain Aleksandr Iakovtsov was piloting Dutch vessel, Ruyter, with a cargo of timber from Russia to Warrenpoint .
It grounded on the north coast of Rathlin Island.
The Agency was called out and the ship continued to Warrenpoint after becoming free, arriving the following afternoon.
An inspection was carried out on 12th October and revealed extensive damage over the forward third of the vessel’s length.
The number 1 double bottom tank was breached and flooded in addition to the fore peak and bow thrust compartment.
Captain Iakovtsov was charged under the Merchant Shipping Distress Signals and Prevention of Collision Regulations 1996 and also of failing to safely navigate his ship and causing serious damage to the ship (in breach of section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995).
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