Yacht owner denies allegations of negligence

John Zarb, the owner of the yacht that caused the death of an 81-year-old angler following a collision, is rebutting claims that he acted negligently.

Joseph Gatt died on July 12 when he was thrown off his 14-foot boat following a collision with the Mr Zarb’s yacht.

His family filed an application on Wednesday asking the courts to order the Police Commissioner to issue charges of manslaughter against Mr Zarb.

The family claimed that the yacht “literally kept on going over him”.

Mr Zarb’s lawyers – Anne Fenech and Gege Vella, said in a statement that nothing could be farther from the truth and that the implication being made was very serious and untruthful.

Mr Zarb said that he exercised all due diligence, prudence, care and attention, paying full regard to rules and regulations.

The incident is the subject of a magisterial inquiry and a preliminary investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act.

Dr Fenech said applications such as that filed by Mr Gatt’s family were only filed when the police refuse to institute proceedings and in this case there was no evidence of this.

She said the events pointed towards the fact that this was an unfortunate accident at sea.

She hoped the incident would not turn into a trial by media before the authorities were given time to conclude their investigations.