The officer steering Condor's Commodore Goodwill when it fatally collided with a Jersey fishing trawler has told the jury in his manslaughter trial that the collision 'could've been avoided'.
Former Second Officer Lewis Peter Carr from Sunderland took the stand at Jersey's Royal Court again today (16 September) and has been cross-examined by his co-accused's Defence Advocate Mike Preston and prosecuting Crown Advocate Matthew Maletriot.
The 30-year-old told the court that he believed the L'Ecume II was the give-way vessel, as he said she did not have her fishing lights on - just her deck lights.
He said that if the L'Ecume II was using its fishing lights, that would have meant the Goodwill was the give-way vessel, and he would have moved out of the way.
Mr Carr told the jury that he followed Rule 17(b) of the COLREGs, which states:
When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.
- COLREGs
He was also asked about the interview he gave the police the day after the incident.
He told the court that, in hindsight, he was not in the 'right mental space' to do the interview.
"I was in shock, and I was sleep deprived."
"There were a lot of things in my head that I couldn't remember."
Mr Carr said he was offered support from his employer - Condor Ferries - and was given a helpline, but he told the jury it did not help 'enough'.
"It tried to calm us down, but I don't think it really worked.
"[I] laid in bed wide awake and didn't sleep [after the collision].
"I was trying to make sense of what had happened.
"It was a whirlwind in my head."
On his first day of testimony, Mr Carr told the court the collision alarm never sounded onboard the Goodwill, and that shift patterns had changed in the week of the collision.
READ: L'Ecume II: Accused former Second Officer takes the stand
The defendant and co-accused Artur Sevash-Zade, who was the ship's look-out, both deny three counts of manslaughter following the deaths of skipper Michael Michieli and crewmen Jervis Baligat and Larry Simyunn.
The trial continues.
Previous stories:
L’Ecume II: Commodore Goodwill Captain recounts morning of collision
L'Ecume II: "One of the most knowledgeable fishermen" worried about large vessels
READ: L’Ecume II: Jury shown radar images in the moments leading up to collision
READ: Court hears L'Ecume II should have been spotted 10 minutes before collision
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