A six-week trial has been set after a tugboat captain and the Port of London Authority were charged seven years after an engineer drowned in the Thames.

Darren Lacey, 40, from Gravesend, died when the Chiefton tug capsized and sank near Greenwich Pier in August 12, 2011, after crashing into a crane.

In December the Maritime and Coastguard Agency charged the authority, which manages navigation on the River Thames, with a health and safety breach, along with the owner of the tugboat, Palmers Marine Services Limited which is based in Wharf Road, Gravesend.

The agency has also charged Captain Roy Goatham, 63, and shipyard and construction company Ravestein VB, which is based in the Netherlands.

The company owned the 60-metre crane barge which the ship hit before sinking.

The Chiefton tug had been pulling the crane along the river before it capsized just before 11pm.

It unsuccessfully tried to avoid a buoy before colliding with a larger crane.

Mr Lacey was one of three people to fall off the boat in the incident.

However, rescuers managed to pull two other men, one of whom was Mr Goatham, from the water while Mr Lacey could not be found.

His body was found three days later in the river.

The trial will begin on Monday, October 14, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, with a pre-trial review taking place on Friday, June 7.

The Port of London Authority is facing a health and safety breach, while Palmers Marine Services Limited are faced with two similar offences.

Mr Goatham is accused of misconduct resulting in a breach or neglect of duty.

Ravestein BV are charged with failing to ensure a ship was operated in a safe manner.