The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is pursuing legal action against Intrada Ships Management over a fatal collision in 2021.

The in-house manager of UK owner Scotline faces a charge of failing to operate a vessel safely after the 4,800-dwt UK-flagged general cargo ship Scot Carrier (built 2018) clashed with 500-dwt Danish split hopper barge Karin Hoj (built 1997) in the Baltic Sea off Sweden.

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Both seafarers from the Danish ship died as it capsized in the early hours of 13 December.

Intrada revealed in its annual accounts filed to Companies House that the MCA had started proceedings, as have relatives of the dead men.

The company said legal expenses have been £175,000 ($221,000) so far.

These have been recharged to the vessel and have not affected its own accounts, Intrada added.

Intrada believes insurance should cover any costs and settlements on the basis that the manager “had sufficient procedures in place to mitigate this type of risk and that the result of the accident was not down to the company’s systems”.

The MCA told TradeWinds the trial is scheduled to begin at Southampton Crown Court on 19 February.

Intrada pleaded not guilty at a hearing on 9 November.

No date has been set for the families’ legal action.

The master of Scot Carrier, Sam Farrow, pleaded guilty last month at the same court to failing to comply with the International Safety Management Code. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Second officer jailed

In June 2022, the second officer from the Scot Carrier was jailed for 18 months in Denmark.

The 30-year-old seafarer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after admitting to drinking on the bridge.

He was banned from entering Denmark for 12 years and his licence to operate vessels in Danish waters was revoked.

Intrada director Peter Millatt also controls Scotline.

The company has not responded to a request for comment.

In September, a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found the second officer was alone on the bridge and distracted by a tablet computer before the accident.

MAIB said the Scot Carrier’s watchkeeper changed course without determining that it was safe to do so.

And neither watchkeeper on the two vessels reacted to the developing situation, or took action in time to prevent a collision.

No lookouts were posted on either ship, MAIB said.