The master of a motor vessel which went the wrong way through the Dover Straits Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) has been fined £1,400.

The incident took place on 20 June as the vessel, Madredeus, was on passage from Brazil to Immingam, UK.

The master, Captain Lykourgos Tsopelas, was advised by his Second Officer to change course and the Coastguard twice instructed him to change course. Ignoring their warnings he allowed the vessel to proceed for 6 miles before clearing the TSS.

‘All breaches of the collision Regulations will be investigated’, warned a Coastguard spokesman.