Rhesa Shipping Co. S.A. v. Edmunds & anr. (The Popi M) - Court of Appeal (Sir John Donaldson M.R., O’Connor and May L.JJ.) - 20 July 1984

Marine insurance - Elderly vessel sank in calm conditions - Whether loss due to peril of the seas

The vessel Popi M was 28 years old when she suddenly sank in the Mediterranean in near perfect weather conditions with no other vessel in sight. The shell plating in way of the engine room suddenly opened up allowing a jet of sea water to enter. The opening was some 2 metres long and 1 inch wide. The flooding could not be contained and the vessel sank. The underwriters rejected the owners claim for a loss by perils of the seas.