MAIB Report on the loss of Crewman from the tug Endurance

[oldgit]

As some of you know my brother was lost near Beachy Head about a year ago.
Have declined to make any public comment about the event until the official release of the MAIB report.
It has now been released and is available for the public to read and make up their own mind after reading the report.
The summing up tells you everything you need to know about the skipper of the boat.
If you take the time to read the full report you will become aware of other incidents prior to this one.
Draw you own conclusions.
The MAIB report which took over a year is not there to apportion blame,merely to report the circumstances and to try to get at the truth.
The skipper and the boat concerned is currently operating as "safety" boat on work being carried out for Railtrack to Rochester Bridge !
It is long and detailed but interesting report, especially regards some of the paperwork submitted to Peel Ports, locals will also be aware that Peel Ports have "let go" some of their staff very recently.
http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/2014/endurance.cfm

 

[sarabande]

those safety points make chilling reading, and the MAIB report exposes deficiencies of preparation and competence at the owner/skipper's level.


I hope the report goes a long way towards helping the healing.

 

[penfold]

Not wearing a lifejacket? Even trawlermen wear lifejackets now, the low cost of life jackets, insulated deck suits and even PLBs mean accidents like this are so easily mitigated. A pretty sorry litany of neglect and ignorance by the employer/skipper. You have my condolences.

 

[oldgit]

The case goes before a circuit judge at the end of the month.
The boat killed its first skipper/owner and the salvage was sold to somebody down this way .
It sunk again round at Gravesend, again salvaged and sold on once more..

 

[Flynnbarr]

I did not know this.
I read the whole report,not good.
You have my respect and condolences.

 

[No Regrets]

The 'No lifejacket' thing is identical to Princess Diana not wearing a seat belt.

Just that one thing in this whole sorry story would probably have changed the whole outcome...

 

[JumbleDuck]

As some of you know my brother was lost near Beachy Head about a year ago.
Have declined to make any public comment about the event until the official release of the MAIB report.
It has now been released and is available for the public to read and make up their own mind after reading the report.

I read that report a few days ago, with complete horror. My deepest sympathies.

 

[No Regrets]

I have just re-read the whole thing. It's absolutely tragic, two blokes working their socks off trying to earn a living, and like we all do, took a few chances along the way. It's so sad that one of them had to pay the price that way. The skipper acted in total disregard to the welfare of his crew, even by attempting this voyage, let alone the list of other 'issues'

As you say Jumbleduck, sympathy with all the relatives involved. No winners here... :nonchalance:

Thanks for posting that Fred, a real eye opener.

 

[Actionmat]

I'm sorry for your loss, that's a terrible tale.

 

[Ramage]

I read the report the other day, but did not want to comment on here before Fred. I too am very sad for the loss of Fred's brother. I am amazed and appalled at how lax the regulatory authorities seem to be... they made some comments and listed some requirements but either never followed up, or did not seem interested in enforcing them.

Safety boat?????? Hmmmmm.......

 

[LittleSister]

Shocking.
My condolences.

. . . two blokes working their socks off trying to earn a living, and like we all do, took a few chances along the way. It's so sad that one of them had to pay the price that way. The skipper acted in total disregard to the welfare of his crew, even by attempting this voyage, let alone the list of other 'issues'

Took a few chances? Not sure there are many chances the skipper didn't take.

 

[oldgit]

Shocking.
My condolences.



Took a few chances? Not sure there any many chances the skipper didn't take.

The skipper was advised three times of the impending approaching gale ,by port operations at Sheerness,Ramsgate and Dover. He choose to ignore all the warnings.

 

[Nauti Fox]

A damning report Fred.

 

[boatone]

The case goes before a circuit judge at the end of the month.

What charges are being brought, Fred?

A sobering report that should be a wake-up call to a lot of people and agencies.

 

[oldgit]

What charges are being brought,

Not sure ! and a bit difficult to find out. Will know more on 27th June.
There are apparently a total of five charges, the fact that there was a fatality is incidental to those charges .
However,if the first two charges (the most serious) are found to be proved,believe that action about the loss of the crewman will ensue.

Thanks to all who have expressed their thoughts on the matter.

 

[tony_lavelle]

I too didn't want to comment before Fred. The chilling MAIB report will hopefully become a lesson for all of us. How ironic that the tug is now working as a safety boat!

Peel Ports (aka Medway Ports) were rightly criticised for their very lax compliance checking, but credit to the VTS guy who repeatedly warned the skipper about the gale. Perhaps he knew the boat and its skipper!

Such a sad loss of a decent bloke. Condolences to Fred.

 

[mersey]

Fred, sorry for your loss.

Reading the report it mentions no paper charts, it's also worth noting as not mentioned in the report, the ancient model of Garmin plotter in the list of navigation equipment, is also not capable of running up to date charts.

 

[oldgit]

Fred, sorry for your loss.

Reading the report it mentions no paper charts, it's also worth noting as not mentioned in the report, the ancient model of Garmin plotter in the list of navigation equipment, is also not capable of running up to date charts.

That could be useful later on and it does not surprise me in the least. Fred.

 

[oldgit]

The chap concerned has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is due to appear in court in January 2015.

 

[tony_lavelle]

The tug has been renamed "Phoenix". Yesterday evening it was moored on the waiting pontoon outside Chatham Marina and today it was pushing a barge during the River Festival.