British yacht skipper found guilty after Cowes Week tanker collision

Hanne Knutsen and the incident that led to a high-profile maritime trial.

A British yacht skipper has been found guilty of three counts of breaching maritime regulations after his vessel collided with a fully laden oil tanker during Cowes Week in the Solent.

Lieutenant Roland Wilson, a Royal Navy reservist, was at the helm of the 33ft yacht Atalanta of Chester when it collided with the 265m tanker Hanne Knutsen, despite reportedly spotting the vessel five miles out.

The incident, which unfolded in front of nearly 100,000 spectators, occurred on the first day of the regatta in August 2011, and was captured on video, later gaining more than 900,000 views on YouTube.

Following a five-day trial at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Wilson, 32, was convicted of:

• Failing to keep a proper lookout

• Impeding the passage of a vessel (two counts)

The prosecution stated that Wilson sailed “perilously” into the tanker’s path, violating Moving Prohibited Zone (MPZ) regulations requiring a safety buffer around large vessels. One crew member on the yacht suffered a minor head injury; another jumped overboard.

Wilson argued that the tanker had indicated a turn to starboard with a horn signal but did not execute the maneuver, allegedly placing his yacht in a dangerous position. The court also heard that another vessel, Joy C, lost power, forcing the tanker to alter course.

In sentencing, Judge Anthony Calloway described the incident as a serious lapse in judgment, noting the “potential for tragic consequences.”

“This was not some Saturday afternoon jaunt by inexperienced people… the yacht took the wrong decision to sail towards the problem,” the judge said.

Wilson was fined £3,000, ordered to pay £100,056.68 in costs, and a £15 victim surcharge. At the time, he had recently left active service and was working on new inflatable boat designs.

Captain Jeremy Smart of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency commented:

“It was very fortunate that Mr Wilson’s actions did not result in very tragic consequences. This case should remind all mariners of the importance of keeping a proper lookout and taking early action to avoid collisions.”