Tragedy at Padstow - 5 May 2013

[Oscarguitar]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Lengthy report on BBC radio Cornwall this morning. This video has been posted. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-22423877

It would appear that the helm has either managed to either hook the boat or cause it to step out mid turn. Either way, the result must've been extremely violent in order to deposit all six aboard in the water.

That was the point I was trying to make, either that or just very very unlucky.

[Mollers]

Padstow speedboat crash: Hero boatman Charlie Toogood jumps on runaway craft to prevent more deaths - Mirror Online

[neil.mccrirrick]

Just terrible news. It human to forget to wear the kill cord so unlucky to have this happen

[wavelength]

Being regulated for things that you should do is where regulation should be. And indeed should have been.

enforced by who though? unenforced or unenforceable law is no use to anyone and I don't see the infrastructure for enforcement.

[Mollers]

An aspect to this accident I find surprising, is that none of the six managed to stay in the boat. Often, unless the boat actually flips, someone on the highside stays in. They may get thrown against seat or console etc, but stay in. I know that four of the occupants were young children, but this wouldn't have made a great deal of difference. In such a violent event, luck plays a greater part than size/strength. From the video, some of their kit appears to have remained in the boat.
I'm not familiar with the Camel, but is it possible that they hit a sand bar in the estuary? The skeg looked unmarked in the video.

[Sebbo]

Originally Posted by Kraken999

Details of this heartbreaking incident will emerge in the media soon. I was on a marine patrol this afternoon on the South Coast when I heard the incident in Padstow unfold on the radio. It was distressing enough to listen to and my heart goes out to those directly involved and those from the RNLI, Ambulance crews, SAR Helicopter crews, Harbour Authority staff and my colleagues who had to deal with the incident not to mention any who may have had to witness it unfold. Bank Holidays in Padstow are always busy.

In the meantime if you are going out this Bank Holiday or anytime for that matter PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WEAR YOUR KILLCORD.

I couldn't agree more. The Kill cord is pictured hanging from the console in the follow up video (end of) basic power boating skill. Wear kill cord, also check before departure it actually works!

Also bloody hard to regulate against this kind of stuff, its called seamanship. Kinda like seatbelts in cars / talking on mobile phones - its regulated but basically ignored by thousands.

I wonder how experienced this chap was from London? all the money in the world, cant buy experience on the sea.

[Tim M]

A chap from Falmouth coastguard was on the news this morning explaining all about kill cords and stated it doesn't appear one was being used at the time. Totally tragic. I personally believe that tighter regulation should be introduced. For example, mandatory ICCs for anything over say 10hp, compulsory use of kill cords for open boats. Rules enforceable by local harbour authorities who would be allowed to keep all/a percentage of fines to find extra staff/resources.

[1978SeaRider]

Horrific incident, you can only imagine the terror and injuries involved... We all make mistakes, thankfully most of us walk away from them...

[Mollers]

Father in Padstow speedboat tragedy named as senior BSkyB executive Nicholas Milligan - UK - News - London Evening Standard

[Dan Gurney]

Originally Posted by Tim M

mandatory ICCs for anything over say 10hp.

What does ICC stand for?

[rocknrolla]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Confession time: I had "moment" on the Anglesey cruise. We'd managed to get all the way around the island in the rough stuff & were legging it back up the Strait behind Deano in Rocknrolla, in flat calm conditions. I crossed his wake from stbd to port doing about 35kn. As we came of his port wake, BP tipped to port & dug in veering violently off to port, we all managed to hang on. As I looked down, the kill cord was dangling from the throttles. There but for the grace of God...................

PS just gone all goose bumpy typing this

An i thought u was jst messing abt P DIDDY

[Rogue Wave]

Intenational Certificate of Competence.

I can't hep thinking footstraps would have helped the Coxswain stay in the boat. I understand that they can break your ankles but i'd rather that to having my chest opened d by a prop.

I have been thrown in the water twice at high speed and the Kill Cord worked both times fortunately. I alweays test them on the way out of port and some times at speed. So far I have been on two craft that they did not function on but did not fail 'Safe' So make sure you wear them and test them as well

Re unenforceable regulations, point taken but how about putting the onus on the Vendor to ensure that the Buyer has the relevant experience and qualification to buy the boat. Also how do they enforce it in SA and Spain where I believe this sort od Regs are in place?

Needless to say I'm very sorry the kids/PAX got hurt/ killed

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by 1978SeaRider

Horrific incident, you can only imagine the terror and injuries involved... We all make mistakes, thankfully most of us walk away from them...

For sure!

[wavelength]

Rules enforceable by local harbour authorities

The whole of the UK isnt like the solent/poole etc (thank goodness!) with harbourmasters' boats, police boats etc bobbin about to catch miscreants. So the question remains who enforces?...and in these days with empty public purses, who would pay for enforcement?

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Tim M

A chap from Falmouth coastguard was on the news this morning explaining all about kill cords and stated it doesn't appear one was being used at the time. Totally tragic. I personally believe that tighter regulation should be introduced. For example, mandatory ICCs for anything over say 10hp, compulsory use of kill cords for open boats. Rules enforceable by local harbour authorities who would be allowed to keep all/a percentage of fines to find extra staff/resources.

Terrible news, and my sympathies go out to all the victims.

The argument of regulation over education has been discussed on here many times, with a lot of comments.
One of the theories is that compulsory education is not required due to the "Darwinian theory"
Tragically this has now happened, but now 2 people are dead, and 4 have life changing injuries.
I truly believe there should be a requirement for a basic copmulsory training for any craft over a small size, plus regulation requiring basic safety equipment and LJ for all on board.

The MAIB will investigate and the facts will come out, but with a kill cord still attached on recovery, and the video's of the boat it would seem that it was not been worn.

A very tragic accident, and a reminder that things can and do go wrong, which is why we need to use all safety equipment.

Gary

[Hightower]

Very sad! Sympathies and condolences to the family.

[paddlers]

Shocking loss of life but more regulation wouldn't change the fact that the boat had a safety device that wasn't being used !
It must have been a terrifying experience for the family & every boaters worst nightmare.

[Sebbo]

Yep couldn't agree, very sad for the family, but as Paddlers points out. The boat had the vital piece of safety equipment just wasn't been used. No amount of regulation will stop these accidents. This just happens to be sad story at an unfortunate time. How many people have been killed this weekend doing other things, Road, Outdoors activity. I reckon it outstrips x2. This one caught the headlines. Like the "hen party on a bus" 2 weeks ago.

One positive everyone who reads this knows to wear the kill cord.

[Alzi]

A Bit of an update with Video of out of control Boat ..

Padstow speedboat crash: Brother's tribute to Sky chief Nicholas Milligan killed in horror harbour - Mirror Online

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by Clamchowder

What does ICC stand for?

For more info

About the ICC | The ICC and Proof of Competence Abroad | Boating Abroad | Information & Advice | RYA