Vanilla
Well-Known Member
I think this is the MAIB report of the charter boat where 3 men were drowned in the Needles Channel (from Feb 21997)
23.Yacht founders in needles channel in severe gale - three killed
Narrative: A group of work colleagues chartered a seaworthy and well equipped yacht for five days coastal sailing on the south coast of England in February. Their experience varied but was adequate for what they planned.
They sailed from the Solent to Poole and had hoped to extend westwards to Weymouth but forecast bad weather led to a change of plan. After a period alongside in Poole, they prepared for there turn passage to the Solent. The forecast wind was south-west Force7 to 9. On leaving Poole fairway the Skipper reduced sail for the prevailing conditions and headed east with the intention of approaching the Solent via the Needles Channel which he knew well. No passage plan had been filed with the Coastguard.
It was a rough passage but the crew were confident they were in control until they confronted the first steep-sided seas at these award end of the Needles Channel. These were typical of those encountered in this area when either the west setting ebb tide meets strong south-westerly winds or, as in this case, heavy seas build up in the vicinity of the Shingles and the Bridge bank.
Because some difficulty was encountered in identifying their precise position, the Skipper altered course to the south as he feared he was too close to the Shingles. Moments later a particularly vicious sea capsized the yacht throwing all four crew over board. Three who were clipped on by safety harnesses managed to climb back aboard, but the Skipper, who had unclipped to go below to the chart table, was lost. A great deal of water had found its way below during the capsize through the open companionway and was over one metre deep in the cabin. One of the crew went below to make a MAYDAY call and during this time the yacht capsized again, this time being dis masted.
The two crew on deck were washed overboard, one being swept away, the other being trapped upside down with his head below the water. By the time he was found by the one survivor, he was dead. Only a fragment of the MAYDAY transmission was received. It is most likely that the radio had been damaged in the capsize and was only transmitting intermittently. The MAYDAY was received by HM Coastguard and by another vessel in the Solent but no position was received, just an urgent request as to whether anyone could hear the signal. For want of any further information and lack of
detail as to the origin or location of the vessel making the distress call, no search and rescue operation was mounted.
The yacht was eventually washed up on an Isle of Wight beach with the one survivor on board. The three remaining members of the crew were recovered but all had been killed through drowning or hypothermia.
The Lessons:
1.Winter sailing with gales forecast demands a high degree of responsibility by Skippers. The yacht on this occasion was well found. The experience of the crew appeared adequate for the conditions and the Skipper had demonstrated sound judgement by abandoning an ambitious plan to sail further westwards.
2.In accordance with the MSA Code of Practice for Small Commercial Sailing Vessels, yacht charter firms are strongly advised to give appropriate guidance to charterers on the use of the craft, bearing in mind the declared experience of the Skipper and crew, their knowledge of the boat and the weather forecast.
3.No matter how short the passage, proper planning is essential. Given wind forecasts of Force 7 to 9 the Skipper had the choice of remaining in Poole, taking the long route to his eventual destination by sailing south of the Isle of Wight, or making for the Solent via either the Needles Channel or the North Channel.
4.The indications are that because the tide was flooding, i.e., setting north-east and with the wind, the Skipper decided that the Needles Channel option was a safe choice. The choice of which passage to adopt must always be the Skipper's but the responsibility must be taken after very careful consideration of the dangers and, if lacking in local knowledge, having taken the advice of others. In this instance the Skipper, having taken the decision to proceed to sea, appeared unaware of the grave dangers associated with entering the Needles Channel in strong SSW winds, and
especially in the early stages of the flood.
5.In bad weather conditions safety harnesses should be attached to properly tested securing points at all times, and when fitted, the crotch strap of life-jackets must be correctly fastened.
6.Conventional foul weather clothing offers little protection from winter water temperatures (in this case 6 - 8°C) and in breaking seas once the body is fully immersed. Survival times are measured in minutes.
7.One set of flares for emergency use must be kept readily available and separate from the main supply. It is recommended that the ready-to-use set is placed under cover and easily accessible by the companionway.
8.Yachtsmen are encouraged to report their passage plans to HM Coastguard especially in winter when bad weather is forecast.
9. Retroflective tape on liferafts, life-jackets and foul weather clothing stands a very good chance of being sighted at night when it is picked up by searchlight beams such as those used on RNLI lifeboats.
10.Publishers of sailing directions which offer advice on using the Needles Channel should highlight the dangers of breaking seas in the vicinity of the SW Shingles and the Bridge bank especially in strong winds from the south round to west. The swell in such conditions tends to build up once the west-setting ebb has stopped. Around low water the seas at the seaward end of the Needles Channel can be particularly vicious.
11Publishers of charts specifically designed for the small boat user should draw attention to potential dangers in high sea states. Areas for special consideration are sandbars at the entrances to harbours.
12.Despite having to sail close to a lee shore, the North Channel offers a viable and usually safer alternative to the Needles Channel when entering and leaving the Solent in adverse weather conditions even when the tide is favourable.
Acknowledgement to Hampshire Police and HM Coroner, Isle of Wight
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