Jolly Nero master under investigation for manslaughter

Italian prosecutors have placed the master and pilot onboard the Jolly Nero at the time of tragedy under investigation for multiple manslaughter charges, and detained the vessel. The bodies of seven victims have been recovered and a further two are missing after the 50 m tower collapsed into the sea.

The 1976-built, 40,594 gt, ro-ro containership Jolly Nero collided with the control tower at around 23-00hrs on 7 May as the vessel was leaving port. The vessel was under pilotage at the time of the accident.

"Seven people died, four were injured and two are missing," Italian Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi told parliament on Wednesday after visiting the scene of the tragedy, AFP reported. The pilot onboard the Jolly Nero, Antonio Anfossi, was quoted by TGCOM24 as saying the ship's controls did not respond. He said they tried to stop to the ship's engines but were unable to do so.

The cause of the accident remains unconfirmed although engine failure has been widely speculated.

Lupi said there were three possible explanations for the accident: engine failure, a problem with cables used by the two tug boats towing the ship, or bad steering and excessive speed.

The Jolly Nero is owned by Italian shipping company Ignazio Messina & C. In September 2002 another of its ro-ro containerships the Jolly Rubino caught fire off Richards Bay in South Africa and subsequently grounded resulting in a major wreck removal.

Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.