SLEEPING IN MOORED YACHTS UNSAFE, SAYS MAIB
HOMENEWSINDUSTRY NEWSSLEEPING IN MOORED YACHTS UNSAFE, SAYS MAIB
20 Feb 2020
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The ‘Red Falcon’ ferry collided with a yacht in Cowes Harbour Credit: flickr
INDUSTRY DATABASE
MARINE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BRANCH
The Marine Accident Investigation Bureau has released its report into a collision between a ferry and moored yacht, highlighting the dangers of sleeping whilst on board.
Moored yacht Greylag was sunk in Cowes Harbour in October 2018 when the master of the Red Funnel RoRo passenger ferry, Red Falcon, lost orientation in severely reduced visibility, driving the ferry in the wrong direction. Loss of life or serious injury was averted thanks only to there being no one on board Greylag at the time.
“Our investigation has highlighted that commercial vessels can pose a danger to people sleeping on yachts in some areas of Cowes Harbour, and recommendations have been made to Cowes Harbour Commissioners and Cowes Yacht Haven to review their risk assessments,” said the chief inspector of marine accidents, Andrew Moll.
Recommendations
Red Funnel has been advised to conduct regular assessment of ship-handling capabilities and to review the shipboard method of determining orientation displayed on the ship’s electronic charting system.
Furthermore, the Cowes Harbour Commission and the Cowes Yacht Haven have been recommended to review their risk assessments for collision detailing mitigating measures that are within their control to implement.
“It was very fortunate that nobody was on board yacht Greylag when it was struck and overrun,” said Andrew. “When Red Falcon swung around it narrowly missed Cowes Yacht Haven marina wall and had yachts been rafted there the consequences of this accident could also have been much more severe.”
via Boating Business | Sleeping in moored yachts unsafe, says MAIB.