THE "SOUTHPORT."

(1948) 82 Ll.L.Rep. 862

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Pilcher, sitting with Captain W. R. Chaplin and Captain G. C. H. Noakes, Elder Brethren of Trinity House.

Collision-Radar-Fog-Excessive speed - Helm action - Collision between steamships Finnborg and Southport in English Channel in fog-Finnborg on course of 68 deg.; Southport on course of 275 deg. - Southport fitted with radar-Presence of Finnborg first detected upon Southport's radar screen at distance of about seven miles- Conclusion drawn that Finnborg was on an opposite course and likely to pass in safety port to port-Course of Southport altered 10 deg. to starboard when ships were still three miles apart- Evidence that subsequent radar bearings of Finnborg were taken by Southport until ships were about three-quarters of a mile apart, after which accurate bearings were difficult to obtain-Speed of Southport reduced to about nine knots- Fog signals sounded by Southport - Finnborg sighted on port bow, distant about 900 ft.-Emergency action taken by Southport-Fog signal of Southport heard by Finnborg on starboard bow- Evidence of Finnborg that she immediately stopped her engines, that she ran off her way, and that she put her engines full ahead and her helm hard-a-port upon sighting the Southport- Impact between stem of Southport and starboard side of Finnborg at broad angle-Whether ship fitted with radar excused from strict compliance with rule requiring reduction of speed in fog -Collision Regulations, Art. 16.