Tragic accident report

billows · 25 February 2012, 18:36

Accident report on drowning of two people of Helvick Head, Waterford,Ireland.Bit of a mystery here.Did they go swimming or strike something and fall in.
Marine Casualty Investigation Board

kubcat · 25 February 2012, 21:17

Engine was off and in neutral so I would guess that at least one of them didn't fall out if they hit the semi submerged tyre.

As they were spending time standing up while underway and one had no previous boating experience, I am thinking perhaps one fell in after colliding with the tyre, the other stopped the boat and tried to assist.

Just makes me think of all the times I am boating and think I don't need a lifejacket on. Calm water, relatively slow boat, someone else on board to give a hand. Tragedy certainly not expected.

The families must be gutted.

Seekingsun · 26 February 2012, 08:15

Neither were wearing their life jackets that were found in the rib, no flares or VHF on board, one gentleman spoke with the RNLI on the slip telling them they had no boating experience, then proceeed underway standing up with no lift jacket on.

Sounds like a catalog of errors led up to this... I guess they underestimated how quickly you can get into trouble and had nothing in place to raise any alarm or aid a rescue.

Heart goes out to the families.

willk · 26 February 2012, 12:33

That report makes interesting reading, as do the others. A recurring theme is drowning due to not wearing a lifejacket, which is a legal requirement here (on small craft). Lack of a means to raise the alarm is commonplace too.

I won't comment on the incident in question, for various reasons.

However, there are two general "scenarios" that I'd like to look at:

1. Personal Responsibility and the Wider Responsibility. I feel strongly that people should take responsibility for their own basic safety. When they don't, I often wonder how responsible the rest of us should feel for their safety? I have often been witness to foolish/careless/drunken/aggressive boaters heading to sea or at sea. They don't want advice and they are an accident waiting to happen. Should I follow them to protect them? Report them? (no-one here to report them to anyway). Should I risk my craft and crew to save them when they find themselves in danger - say, among rocks or under a cliff?

2. Lifejackets. All fine and dandy, but so often the entire crew of a boat seem to end up in the water. A means of raising the alarm is critical here and so often we don't have one. Let's face it, no-one plans to fall in. I know of one recent case where a fatality was found close to his rib, having fallen in and died of exposure, in his lifejacket. There were other craft in the general area but had anyone seen his rib, it would have been assumed that he was in the cabin. A handheld or PLB would have saved him, even a phone in a waterproof bag, most likely.

Water users - don't be complacent - wear a LJ and carry appropriate personal comms. Some day it might not "be all right".

willk · 26 February 2012, 16:34

13 year old in canoe incident yesterday

Fisherman dies in Kent yesterday

Ribochet · 26 February 2012, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

That report makes interesting reading, as do the others. A recurring theme is drowning due to not wearing a lifejacket, which is a legal requirement here (on small craft). Lack of a means to raise the alarm is commonplace too.

I won't comment on the incident in question, for various reasons.

However, there are two general "scenarios" that I'd like to look at:

1. Personal Responsibility and the Wider Responsibility. I feel strongly that people should take responsibility for their own basic safety. When they don't, I often wonder how responsible the rest of us should feel for their safety? I have often been witness to foolish/careless/drunken/aggressive boaters heading to sea or at sea. They don't want advice and they are an accident waiting to happen. Should I follow them to protect them? Report them? (no-one here to report them to anyway). Should I risk my craft and crew to save them when they find themselves in danger - say, among rocks or under a cliff?

2. Lifejackets. All fine and dandy, but so often the entire crew of a boat seem to end up in the water. A means of raising the alarm is critical here and so often we don't have one. Let's face it, no-one plans to fall in. I know of one recent case where a fatality was found close to his rib, having fallen in and died of exposure, in his lifejacket. There were other craft in the general area but had anyone seen his rib, it would have been assumed that he was in the cabin. A handheld or PLB would have saved him, even a phone in a waterproof bag, most likely.

Water users - don't be complacent - wear a LJ and carry appropriate personal comms. Some day it might not "be all right".

Once again all very valid points – well made

Over the years I have chatted to many people about wearing lifejackets and have often met strong resistance and indeed sometimes open hostility.
My only retort in these cases is if not for you then at least for your family, as is so often the case, that after an incident if a loved one does not return alive the most important thing for the family is to have a body to lay to rest and to allow them to start the long process of grieving and closure

Seekingsun · 26 February 2012, 17:13

I was recently with a friend over at cowes Marina waiting at the entrance so we could birth for lunch, while we were waiting 2 skippered sail boats full of children aged between 10 and 16 ish left the Marina out towards the Solent, not one of them was wearing a life jacket, I couldn't believe it! Both were under power not sail and the kids were sitting all around the bow and mast.

I cant remember the name of the company now but I wish I could so I could name and shame

PeterM · 26 February 2012, 17:22

Sad , but I fear common. I was only having the conversation yesterday about how cold the water is and how it would be hard to climb back onto a boat if pitched in.

Interstingly both I the ribneter I was talking to both had PLBs in our coats just on case ! ( as well as HHelds ,lifejackets and kit on the boat too ) .

Given the inababiliy to swim no LJs in this case is what caused easily avoidable deaths. even having them in the water even if not worn and used as floats may have kept both afloat long enough to be picked up .

Crusher · 26 February 2012, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

. A handheld or PLB would have saved him, even a phone in a waterproof bag, most likely.

Water users - don't be complacent - wear a LJ and carry appropriate personal comms. Some day it might not "be all right".

The was a story, a few years back of a sailer in the solent, sailing single handed, under sail, on auto pilot with a course out towards the nab tower. He slipped, and fell in. Fortunately he did have his mobile on him. Lifeboat picked him up, dried him off, and then caught up and put him back on his own boat saling off into the sun set.
I think this was just more than a tad lucky, and could have had a very simular tragic outcome as the origianl accident report.

Like all the ealrier comments, tragic loss, and thoughts to the families