Roland Wilson's yacht was in collision with an oil tanker in 2011
The trial has begun for yacht skipper Roland Wilson who faces three charges of flouting maritime law.
The 31-year-old’s boat, with a crew of seven, was in collision with
a 120,000-tonne Hanne Knutsen oil tanker during Cowes Week 2011.
Former
Royal Navy lieutenant from Stanley, Perthshire, has denied a charge of failing to keep a proper look-out and also pleaded
not guilty to two charges of impeding the
passage of the crude-oil tanker.
His trial is taking place this week at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
Click here for the Southern Daily Echo’s Live coverage of the trial.
Wilson’s 33ft yacht Atalanta of Chester got tangled up with the 870ft ship’s anchor on 6 August,
2011.
One of Wilson’s crew was treated at hospital for a head injury.
Footage of the crash at
the world’s largest sailing regatta has attracted 841,504 hits, and counting, on YouTube.
(Pictures courtesy of Tim Addison at COWES.co.uk)