Captain fined £3,000 after crashing fishing boat into Southend Pier

The captain of a fishing boat which ploughed into Southend Pier has been fined £3,000 by magistrates.

On 17th February 2012 the vessel the Paul Patrick, captained by John William Smith, collided with Southend Pier causing an estimated £100,000 worth of damage.

Southend Magistrates Court fined him £3,000 and ordered him to pay £10,000 in costs after he admitted failing to keep a proper look out.

The prosecution said the owners of the pier believed they had lost around £400,000 in trade while repairs were being carried out.

The court heard that Smith had left the wheelhouse to check on equipment in the back of the boat shortly before the collision happened.

Prosecutors also claimed the vessel was travelling faster than Smith had believed.

No one was hurt in the incident.