Ferry lookout 'had wrong glasses'

All three men on the yacht Ouzo died after the vessel collided with, or was swamped or capsized by, the P&O Ferries' vessel Pride of Bilbao off the Isle of Wight, the report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said.

The ferry lookout, who was 60 and slightly short-sighted, was wearing glasses with photochromic lenses which "effectively reduced his ability to see small lights by at least 20%", the report added.

The MAIB said the lookout had first seen the yacht when it was only 300 metres ahead of the ferry at around 1am on August 21 last year.

The lookout had seen a dim white light and then a brighter red one. After a few seconds he realised the red light was from a small vessel ahead and then later he glimpsed the shape of a small yacht with two white sails close to the starboard bow.

The ferry's second officer altered course, believing the vessel was in danger of striking the yacht.

After this the lookout said he twice saw a red light while the second officer believed he saw a single red light and, later, a single white light providing "proof that the yacht was not in any trouble".

After the incident the bodies of James Meaby, 36, Jason Downer, 35, and Rupert Saunders, 36, were recovered from the sea but no trace of the yacht has been found.

Among the MAIB's recommendations are a call to stop lookouts wearing glasses with photochromic lenses at night and a tightening of bridge blackout procedures.

A man is awaiting trial on charges connected with the incident.