MAIB urges duty of care in interim Seadogz report

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an interim report on the investigation of the collision between the high speed passenger craft Seadogz and a navigation buoy, resulting in one fatality on 22 August 2020 in Southampton Water.

“This dreadful accident saw nine people sustain very serious injuries and tragically cost the life of a young person. As the holiday season approaches, I want to remind operators that they also have a duty of care for their passengers, and safety should not be compromised in pursuit of a thrill,” says Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents.

The commercially operated RIB collided with the North-West Netley buoy in Southampton Water at a speed of 38.4kts. On board was the skipper and eleven passengers. During the collision two passengers were ejected overboard into the water where their lifejackets inflated. The remaining passengers and the skipper suffered varying degrees of injuries. A fifteen year old girl received un-survivable injuries when she was catapulted into the handrail directly in front of her seat.

MAIB’s interim report says that during the trip the passengers became accustomed to passing close by large navigation buoys at speed. This meant they became unconcerned at the craft’s approach to the buoy and so did not attempt to alert the skipper.

High speed figure of eight turns completed during the trip increased the risk of hooking or spinning out.

The skipper was operating single-handedly, at high speed and did not see the navigation buoy, which was directly ahead, for 10 seconds before impact.

“There are many aspects to this tragic accident, and the MAIB’s investigation is ongoing. However, there are some immediate lessons that can be learned now that will help avoid a repetition this summer, which is why the MAIB is releasing an interim report,” says Moll.

“In response to an MAIB investigation in 2010, the Passenger Safety on Small Commercial High Speed Craft & Experience Rides voluntary Code of Practice (CoP) was published. The code was written by industry experts to recommend and promote common safe working practices for the industry. What is concerning, is that few of the safe working practices in the voluntary CoP were being followed on the day of the accident.

“These rides can provide excitement, entertainment and fun, and for this reason they are popular,” says Moll, warning that operators have a duty of care for their passengers, and safety should not be compromised.

MAIB’s issued the following safety recommendations for all UK operators of small commercial high speed craft such as RIBs, sports boats and other vessels used for trips.

Operators should review the risk assessments for the operation of their vessels and take measures, as appropriate, to ensure that they comply with the safe working practices and standards contained in the Passenger Safety on Small Commercial High Speed Craft & Experience Rides voluntary Code of Practice.

Where an operator cannot comply with the provisions outlined in the Code of Practice, steps should be taken to mitigate against risk, and details of those measures included in the relevant operating procedures.

A full report will be published when the investigation is complete. Below is MAIB’s Seadogz’s animation.