Rib accident report - Loch Lomond 2005

[Solitaire]

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch ( MAIB ) has published it's report on a rib accident which occurred on Loch Lomond earlier in the year. It makes sobering reading! Not to mention the use of the issue regarding the correct use of the kill cord, it also highlights the need to ensure that hydraulic systems are regularly checked on all outboards.

The report can be read HERE

 

[longjohnsilver]

What a terribly sad waste of life.

 

[peterg]

a very sad ending to what was probably an enjoyable day out, my only thought is that had the kill cord been used correctly but the father was still thrown out of the boat then the elder daughter would have no way of restarting the boat to return to their position and he may well have been unable to get back to the boat due to cold shock....

all in all, failure to maintain the hydraulic steering system adequately was what caused the accident and as you say everybody should be vigilant about this critical equipment.

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Interesting and very sad reading at the same time. An old maritime expression says something like "it takes three adverse conditions to make a disaster". It is unlikely that one adverse condition would, on its own, cause such a disaster.

Its clear that these guys started out badly when they forgot their life jackets - that was the first bad omen. The second was the faulty steering with failing hydraulics - they should have turned for home at that point. The third was the freezing cold water that they were thrown into. 3C is bloody freezing!! Then there is the 4th adverse condition, the kill cord, or lack of.

Scarily, I think, if we are all honest with ourselves, we know of times when we have put out to sea when all the portents were against the voyage. I can think of one just recently... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I feel very sorry for the family /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
my only thought is that had the kill cord been used correctly but the father was still thrown out of the boat then the elder daughter would have no way of restarting the boat to return to their position and he may well have been unable to get back to the boat due to cold shock....



[/ QUOTE ]

That's why a spare kill cord should always be available ! It should be put in an obvious place so that in such an event other members of the crew know where it is. I always carry a spare cord in my grab bag - in fact I have one which fits all the kill switch's available.

 

[powerboatireland]

What a tragic loss of life.

It mirrors a slightly similar accident here on Lough Ree Last year.

Here in Ireland we have introduced legislation for mandatory Life jacket on Fast watercraft. Kill Cords are in my opinion just as important on Fast Craft.

 

[Nickcf]

very sad, I suppose a key message is that if you detect something is wrong with a critical part of your boat (ie the stiff steering in this case) then investigate it rather than risk it!