The CAPTAIN of a Red Funnel car ferry involved in a collision with a pleasure boat has lost his case to get his job back, a tribunal heard.

Ian Drummond, 63, was in charge of the ferry when it collided with a 32ft motor cruiser in the Solent in September 2018.

He was cleared of committing two maritime offences and claimed he was wrongly and unfairly dismissed.

The BBC reported a judge ruled he was not sacked unfairly but should have been paid his six weeks' notice.

During the employment tribunal, Judge James Dawson said Mr Drummond, who was dismissed from his job following the crash, should have been paid for his six weeks' notice period, which amounted to almost £6,500.

Capt Fran Collins, chief executive of Red Funnel, told the tribunal Mr Drummond was dismissed for breaching health and safety rules.

She said he had stayed in his lookout seat rather than moving around the bridge looking for obstacles that could slip into the ship's blind spot.

He was cleared in December at Southampton Magistrates' Court of failing to keep a lookout and misconduct likely to endanger ships, structures or individuals.

During the case, District Judge Anthony Callaway said Mr Drummond remained seated to maintain an overall best view around the ferry, including the use of CCTV monitors.

He was satisfied Mr Drummond was not to blame for the collision.