Two cargo ships were involved in a fatal collision off the Sussex coast after a merchant seaman failed to keep watch from a bridge, a jury heard.

The Dutch Aquamarine rammed into the rear of The Ash, a smaller ship. The Ash's six-man crew jumped into the sea as it went down.

The Aquamarine's crew rescued all except the captain, Wolfgram Gross, who drowned.

The second officer on board the Dutch Aquamarine, Brian D'Esterre Roberts, has gone on trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of unlawfully killing Mr Gross, who was 58.

D'Esterre Roberts, 39, of Bally Macus, County Cork, Eire, has denied manslaughter.

He has admitted breaching or neglecting his duty by failing to keep a proper lookout.

The jury heard the collision took place in October 2001, eight miles off Hastings.

The Dutch Aquamarine, a 4,700-tonne chemical tanker, was travelling from Antwerp to Swansea. The 1,000-tonne Ash was carrying steel from Denmark to Spain.

Mark Dennis, prosecuting, said both ships were travelling in the same direction in the English Channel on a clear and bright afternoon with good weather conditions when the collision happened.

The Dutch Aquamarine was on autopilot and travelling twice as fast as The Ash.

Mr Dennis said: "Had the Dutch Aquamarine been keeping a proper lookout then it would have been obvious it was catching up with The Ash and it would collide.

"The Dutch Aquamarine rammed into the rear starboard side, holing The Ash below the water line. It sank shortly afterwards.

"This meant the crew were left to fend for themselves in the sea.

"The person responsible on the Dutch Aquamarine for the safe navigation of the vessel was the defendant. As officer on watch he had sole responsibility for ensuring the safe passage of the Dutch Aquamarine.

"Had he done so the collision would never have occurred and a man would never have lost his life in such a needless way."

The trial continues.