FOG and poor ship communication were to blame for a boat crash in Brightlingsea.

The 2,800 tonne ship Calamar smashed into a pontoon while entering the town’s harbour to collect a cargo of wood chip in November.

A report by the Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioner Robin Cole said bad visibility caused the incident, in which no-one was hurt.

“Once the Calamar was committed to the narrow channel visibility deteriorated further and poor communication from the lookouts on the fo’c’sle head resulted in the vessel making a late turn and she came off the intended track, colliding with the North Cardinal beacon," said the report.