The owners of the MV Banglar Mookh sued Transnet Ltd in its capacity as employer of a harbour pilot for damages suffered when the vessel collided with the A‑Berth knuckle while entering Duncan Dock, Cape Town harbour, on 5 September 2005. The vessel was under compulsory pilotage by a Transnet-employed pilot. The owners alleged that the collision was caused by the pilot’s gross negligence or recklessness. Two conflicting factual versions were presented: the ship’s master alleged that the pilot misjudged the vessel’s course and speed, necessitating abrupt helm orders that led to the collision, while the pilot claimed the collision resulted from the helmsman mistakenly steering hard to starboard contrary to instructions. Vessel Tracking Service (VTS) records that could have provided objective evidence were not preserved, although radio communications were available.