FERRY OFFICER CLEARED ON ALL CHARGES

[proud_ionian]

source: MGN

FOLLOWING the failure of a jury to agree on a verdict on counts of endangering lives under the UK's Merchant Shipping Act, for failing to stop the P&O ferry Pride of Bilbao after it was involved in a close encounter with a yacht, the ship's second mate Michael Hubble has been cleared of all charges. He had earlier been cleared of the manslaughter of the three-man crew of the yacht Ouzo which sank off the Isle of Wight in August last year.

He has been quoted as saying he wants get on with his life and go back to sea. He told reporters: "The families of the men have my deepest sympathy but the demise of those men was nothing to do with me, or any action of mine or the Pride of Bilbao. I have never done anything negligent in my life."

Mr Hubble's solicitor, Kerry King, was quoted as saying: "We are extremely pleased with the outcome. Mr Hubble has always maintained that the decision he made as the officer on watch was the correct one."