Conviction of fishing vessel skipper involved in collision
The skipper of a UK-registered fishing vessel has been prosecuted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) after it was involved in a collision with another fishing vessel in the English Channel last year. Craig Robert Petre, 31, of Distington near Workington, who pleaded guilty to three offences in November, yesterday (Monday 13th January) appeared before Hull Crown Court Judge Watson and was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, with a suspended sentence of 18 months. The actions of Mr Petre, who was found guilty of failing to take action to avoid a collision; failing to transmit an automatic identification system (AIS) whilst at sea; and acting as skipper when not qualified to do so, showed “high culpability”, according to Judge Watson. He was also ordered to pay £4,500 towards the cost of legal fees. In a statement, the MCA said: “The UK fishing industry has the highest proportion of deaths and serious injury of any industry within the UK. “The MCA is working with st