Shell & BP South African Petroleum Refineries (Pty) Ltd., & Ors. v. Osborne Panama S.A. - Mr. Justice Howard - Durban & Coast Local Division - May 4, 1980

Collision with mooring buoy - Liability of shipowner

The defendant’s vessel, in the process of mooring, collided with a mooring buoy. The first plaintiffs, the joint owners of the buoy, sued the shipowner for damages. Although the pilot was in direct control of navigation the defendant shipowner was vicariously liable for his actions. The plaintiffs alleged that it was the pilot’s negligence that had caused the collision.