The Dutch Safety Board published a Safety Alert, after an accident during which a sea sailor died after a flare exploded immediately.
The incident
On the night of January 1, 2023, a person on board a Dutch sailing ship on the Pacific Ocean died when he fired a flare.
The experienced sea sailor fired the flare, which complied with its requirements, in accordance with the instructions. The flare did not launch as intended, but exploded immediately, with fatal consequences.
Probable cause
After becoming aware of the accident, the Dutch Safety Board started a preliminary investigation. From the initial analysis of the available information, the Dutch Safety Board has not yet been able to determine whether this is a one-off accident or if a more structural problem exists.
Given the nature of the incident, there is a risk that it is not a one-off incident.
Because of this risk, contact has been made with the manufacturer in Spain. The Spanish manufacturer has warned its customers in Spain and is recalling the specific batch.
Because these products are sold only in Spain, the warning of the Spanish manufacturer is aimed at Spanish customers.
The accident, however, shows that owners are also located outside Spain. For example, Spain can be a final supply station for transatlantic or Mediterranean (sailing) trips.
With this warning, the Dutch Safety Board calls on all owners of Red Rocket Parachute Flare from Pirolec, type L-35/ L35A, batch 0525/2021 – 113, to not use these and to replace them.
