THE "PUNTA MESCO."

[1951] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 230

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Lord Merriman (President), sitting with Captain G. C. H. Noakes, Elder Brother of Trinity House.

Negligent navigation - Canal - Leaving dock - Right of way - Look-out - Plaintiffs' steamship Audun under way down Manchester Ship Canal, having just left No. 6 Dock, Manchester- Defendants' steamship Punta Mesco, in tow of head and stern tugs, leaving Dock No. 9 stern first-Each vessel in charge of pilot - Signals sounded by each vessel-Lights of Punta Mesco and steam tug sighted by Audun overland on starboard bow at distance of about 1000 ft.-Porting by Audun- Astern action maintained by Punta Mesco-Full ahead action by Punta Mesco at last moment, causing stern of Audun to sheer to port-Full ahead and hard-a-port action by Audun to correct sheer-Collision between stem of Audun and port quarter of tug Pomona, lying at Salford Quay - Admission of liability for collision by Audun - Right of recovery against Punta Mesco-Each pilot aware that the other vessel was due to leave dock-Whether either vessel had right of way.