A 3,000 tonne oil tanker, Crescent Beaune, was named as the ship which could have sunk the 25ft Sailfish yacht Ouzo, resulting in the death of her three crew James Meaby, 36, Jason Downer, 35, and Rupert Saunders, 36, when she sank after leaving Bembridge, Isle of Wight in August last year, a jury heard.

Richard Barraclough, QC, defending P&O ferry officer Michael Hubble, 62, who was on watch aboard the Pride of Bilbao on the night in question, told Winchester Crown Court analysis would show that the Crescent Beaune could have sunk the Ouzo.

Earlier the captain of the tanker, Alaistair Crichton, told the jury he had broken the law when he had only a second officer and not another lookout on his bridge that evening.

Michael Hubble told the court he had no doubt the yacht he had seen in close proximity that night had passed by safely. He denies the manslaughter of the three yachtsmen and three counts of engaging in conduct likely to cause death or serious injury. The trial continues.