Captain Ian Drummond has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a collision between the Red Funnel ferry and a 32ft motor cruiser on the Solent last year – but is now fighting to get his job back.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Mr Drummond appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court last month charged with 2 maritime offences; misconduct of master likely to endanger ships, structures or individuals, and being the master responsible for conduct of a vessel contravening the Merchant Shipping Regulations. However, he was today found not guilty of both offences.
The 63-year-old was in command of the Red Falcon – which was carried 182 passengers and 20 crew – when it was involved in a collision with the motor cruiser ‘Phoenix’ off Calshot in September 2018. The incident was not discovered until the ferry arrived at East Cowes. Meanwhile, the Phoenix was taken to the safety of Cowes Harbour having suffered damage.
A Maritime Accident Investigation Branch report into the collision was published in March of this year.
District Judge Anthony Callaway today ruled that he was satisfied that Captain Drummond was not to blame for the collision and kept a proper lookout, using his experience to remain seated but maintain an overall best view.
The skipper of the motor cruiser, 57-year-old Peter Jackson, has been given a caution in relation to his actions in the incident. Mr Jackson is said to have ‘endangered’ those on board both vessels. He was not prosecuted as he is not classed as a professional master.
Red Funnel has dismissed Mr Drummond from his role at the company, but he is hoping for reinstatement at an employment tribunal in February 2020. Drummond is said to have crossed the Solent more than 6,000 times without incident.
So seemingly one has to be a classed as a professional master before one can be prosecuted for reckless endangerment??.
Give the man his job back!!
Why was he dismissed before the judgement? Suspended yes. That woman who has taken control has a lot to answer for!
some two bit, sunday afternoon yachtie, buys a boat, absolutely no sea experience whatsoever, crashes it into the ferry, that is being captained by a seasoned professional and doesn’t get prosecuted for it. Perhaps he should at least be charged with being a complete Bell end.
Red Funnel should be re-instating Mr Drummond immediately and paying him compensation for disbelieving him, dismissing him and causing him all the stress that he went through, when he should have been enjoying the full support of his employer until the final verdict had been given in a court.
Red Funnels CEO has a lot to answer for and needs to step down . The company was good before this CEO was put in place, it went down hill from then on in and now it has gone from bad to worse, operationally and internally.
Well said…. It’s criminal that this man was dismissed before trial. … I’d be looking at suing for unfair dismissal and a fat wadge of compensation. But I suspect this man is too nice to go down that route…
I agree suspension before dismissal prior to the investigations verdict otherwise pointless having the investigation,life can be so unfair sometimes hope the Capt get he’s job back ASAP and a little compensation for unfair treatment probably wouldn’t hurt!
Can this Captain go to Wightlink as cover for the daily sickies
I heard the sickies were just the toilet attendants….