Oceangas (Gibraltar) Ltd. v. Port of London Authority (The Cavendish) - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Clarke J.) - 18 May 1993

Compulsory pilotage - Whether pilotage authority vicariously liable for negligence of pilot

The plaintiffs’ vessel Cavendish was damaged as a result of striking the Sunk Head Tower or Buoy in the approaches to the River Thames. At the time, the vessel was in charge of a compulsory pilot who was employed by the defendants (the “P.L.A.”). The plaintiffs sued the P.L.A. for damages. A preliminary issue was ordered to determine liability on the basis of certain agreed and assumed facts. One of the facts which was assumed (without any admission as to liability) was that the collision between the vessel and the Sunk Head Tower and/or Buy was caused by the negligence of the pilot and/or the failure of the pilot to exercise reasonable skill and care.