Bureaucratic sluggishness at work?

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is a UK government organization, authorized to investigate all maritime accidents in UK waters and accidents involving UK registered ships worldwide. The agency distributed a report on April 24, 2025 regarding the investigation of a man overboard fatality on October 1, 2022.

The incident occurred on a boat owned by the Andrew Cassell Foundation which enables individuals with physical disabilities and impairments to sail and race competitively.

Nearly three years to reveal the safety of a program? Here’s the MAIB report:

Summary:
A crew member lost her life when she fell overboard from a SONAR class keelboat while racing off Cowes, Isle of Wight. Her crewmates were unable to recover her from the water before she succumbed to the effects of immersion.

When extra help arrived, she was quickly removed from the water, first aid was administered, and she was taken ashore. Despite the efforts of the emergency services and medically qualified passersby, she could not be revived.

Key safety issues identified:
• Although she was wearing a correctly fitting lifejacket and appropriate sailing clothing, the crew member rapidly succumbed to the effects of immersion and was unable to assist with her own recovery.
• The activity’s risk assessment was incomplete as it did not consider how individuals who had fallen overboard would be recovered from the water.
• The crew were insufficiently trained and practiced in the recovery of a person overboard.

Safety recommendations:
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is recommended to review the definition of the term ‘Pleasure Vessel’ to clarify that vessels operated by organizations and charities to take vulnerable adults and children afloat do not fall within the scope of that definition.

The Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group is recommended to bring this report to the attention of local authorities and invite them to consider oversight of waterborne charitable activities within their jurisdictions.

The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:

“Any boating activity carries the risk of a person falling in the water. It is important that skippers and event organizers conduct an appropriate assessment to determine the level of assistance that might be required – such as equipment, personnel or support craft – to ensure the timely recovery of a person from the water.

“Additionally, vessel crews must be practiced in the recovery of people from the water and be familiar with their rescue equipment.

“Not every event or outing requires bespoke equipment but it may be necessary, especially when sailing with people whose ability to assist with their own recovery might be impaired.

“All skippers should consider how they and their crew will recover an unconscious person from the water in a timely manner and ensure they and their crew practice thoroughly for such an event.”