Tobermory RIB grounding (one fatality) report published
- Thread starter Observer
- Start date
gjgm
Well-Known Member
an interesting, if very tragic, read.
The stats of fatalities are interesting.I dont know whether the investigation already has its mandate re alcohol, but most people seem to die when alongside...
The stats of fatalities are interesting.I dont know whether the investigation already has its mandate re alcohol, but most people seem to die when alongside...
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
IMHO, the conclusion of this report is illogical and biased. The MAIB/MCA are on a mission to justify the introduction of drink/driving regulations and to make a statement that
This is yet another tragic leisure craft accident in which a life has been lost due to the consumption of alcohol
is complete bollox. The report itself identifies 4 other factors involved in the accident ie ineffective lookout, excess speed, lack of navigational planning and lack of use of the plotter. No question that alcohol may have been a contributory factor but surely the main cause of the accident was navigational error in terms of not properly planning the passage and not using the plotter effectively. This is an accident that could have happened if the participants were stone cold sober and to blame it solely on alcohol is a nonsense.
The MAIB and MCA are hell bent on empire building to justify their existence. Ordinarly that wouldn't concern me too much apart from the waste of public money but to me it seems like the thin end of a regulatory wedge. If they get their way on drink boating laws, you can bet that compulsory registration is the next step and with that will come an army of pen pushers and waterborne jobsworths whose sole purpose will be to control our boating activities and extract maximum income from us
Searush
Well-Known Member
I am not generally in favour of car style drink limits applied to boats, but then I can only travel at 7kts.
You might think that drink was not the prime cause, but if they were sober, is it not likely that they would have kept a proper look out & followed their plotter route? And they may possibly have travelled a little slower until they were in clear water - but that is probably more down to familiarity than anything else - although acohol does tend to increase confidence while decreasing ability.
I have to say that it looks like they "didn't have a care in the world" when they hit those rocks a 20kts. A very sad & tragic accident, but it does seem to have been avoidable & I would find it hard to disagree with the MAIB findings. My heart goes out to the survivors & the familiy of the deceased.
You might think that drink was not the prime cause, but if they were sober, is it not likely that they would have kept a proper look out & followed their plotter route? And they may possibly have travelled a little slower until they were in clear water - but that is probably more down to familiarity than anything else - although acohol does tend to increase confidence while decreasing ability.
I have to say that it looks like they "didn't have a care in the world" when they hit those rocks a 20kts. A very sad & tragic accident, but it does seem to have been avoidable & I would find it hard to disagree with the MAIB findings. My heart goes out to the survivors & the familiy of the deceased.
scottie
Well-Known Member
this is a similar accident to the sea snake tarbert loch fyne 2005
a small boat travelling fast near a rocky shore late at night with sustained drinking before rethe voyage
We have the luxury of a broadly un regulated sport but perhaps if more accidents such as the the young boy killed in the jet ski incident just a few miles from tobermory were to happen then legistation will be imposed
Many people myself included would resent drink boating rules whilst moored but accept restrictions whilst underway but can see difficulties in between what if you have to move the boat etc
If we dont self regulate we will have it imposed maybe even taxed and operating licences required.
a small boat travelling fast near a rocky shore late at night with sustained drinking before rethe voyage
We have the luxury of a broadly un regulated sport but perhaps if more accidents such as the the young boy killed in the jet ski incident just a few miles from tobermory were to happen then legistation will be imposed
Many people myself included would resent drink boating rules whilst moored but accept restrictions whilst underway but can see difficulties in between what if you have to move the boat etc
If we dont self regulate we will have it imposed maybe even taxed and operating licences required.
MVP
Well-Known Member
At three times over the road drink drive limit, they were clearly not in a fit state for the activity they were undertaking.
Let's hope the crazy antics of some boaters doesn't impact the moderate enjoyment of the majority.
MVP
Let's hope the crazy antics of some boaters doesn't impact the moderate enjoyment of the majority.
MVP
nonitoo
Well-Known Member
Surely alcohol was the main contributory factor and it is reasonable to assume that the other factors followed on from it.
As you say, it could have happened if they had been sober but alcohol impairment rendered it much more likely to happen.
I don't think I have too much sympathy for a coxswain with still more than double the drink/drive limit of alcohol in his body 5 hours after the accident.
I don't know what has to happen for people to realise that alcohol impairs judgement -fact. Refusing to accept this is what keeps our courts/hospitals busy.
My concern is the problem we will all have in the future deciding when we can have a drink while living aboard - but there is nothing new about that.
Tom
Al Dickson
Well-Known Member
I agree with Tom - whilst my sympathies go to the bereaved family, getting drunk and taking your pals out in a boat is a bad idea at the best of times, let alone taking on 12 miles in the dark at speed without lifejackets - tragic.