Drydocks responsible for destruction of yacht in 1988

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that Malta Drydocks was responsible for the destruction of a yacht that was being repaired at Manoel Island in July 1988.

Avonstar Contractors Ltd told the court that it owned a yacht which was being repaired at Manoel Island. The yacht caught fire as a result of the failure of the Drydocks to properly carry out the repair works. The company requested the court to find Malta Drydocks responsible in damages.

The first court upheld the company's claim and held the Drydocks responsible for 80 per cent of the damages.

The Drydocks then lodged an appeal to the Court of Appeal.

The court heard that while repair works were carried out, the Drydocks had failed to properly insulate the exhaust pipe on one of the yacht's engines. This failure led to the combustion of the hot gases produced by the boat's engines and was contrary to good practice of workmanship.

However, the company bore some of the responsibility for the accident as its representative had failed to notice the smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe in time to prevent the accident.