CHIRP published its Maritime Feedback 54 focusing on a report detailing an incident where a wilful failure to fully comply with a safety briefing led to an injury to a passenger. The report focuses on the importance of keeping the passengers of a boat safe and the consequences when the passengers don’t fully comply with the safety rules.
The Incident
The report is referring to a skipper of a Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) which offers tours of the local area to observe the wildlife, fauna and flora.
The reporter discussing the matter stated that they give a detailed safety briefing prior to departure. Concerning this incident, the passengers were advised several times before the trip began and in the safety briefing on board, to sit toward the back of the boat as it was more stable
The vessel departed from the port in calm weather conditions (sea state 2), and sailed at a slow speed of 5 knots. Yet, when approaching the sandbar at the edge of the estuary there was an increase of swell to 1–2 feet due to the shallower conditions.
When approaching the sandbar, the last wave was much steeper/sharper, which resulted to the vessel slowing down, just as the wave approached.
The reporter noted that both passengers stood up while sailing over the wave, resulting in one of them slamming back down onto the seat with force. Then, the boat immediately stopped.
The crew went to check on the passenger, who appeared to be in a dazed state and was complaining of sore lower back muscles. The skipper drove very slowly back into the bay, and the crewmember remained with the passenger making sure she was squeezing her hands and moving her toes. She was kept warm with blankets and was not moved.
Following a VHF call to the operations base in the marina, an ambulance was called.
Approximately 5 minutes after arriving back at the pontoon, a paramedic arrived. Following an examination, the patient was advised that the pain was just sore lower back muscles and to take some pain relief and to go home and rest.
Lessons Learned
After the dialogue between the CHIRP and the reporter the following points were made:
- It was confirmed that the injuries sustained were simply diagnosed as muscular.
- The crew of the RHIB quite rightly gave basic treatment for shock and potentially serious spinal injury.
- It was agreed that the learnings could be applicable to any RHIB operation and indeed many other activities within the leisure sector where passengers are involved.
- There was uncertainty as to why the two passengers, who were in their early 70’s, decided to stand up since they were told several times throughout the trip to remain seated at all times.
- It was emphasised that briefings are conducted prior to the excursions, and on slightly rougher weather days this includes suggesting that the excursion could be postponed to a calmer day. In this particular case the advice was given to postpone, but they insisted on going because they were a “fit couple”.
Moreover, CHIRP questions
What do we need to do better in order to prevent this from happening again?
The passengers’ safety should be the top priority.
CHIRP considers that there are potential additions to the safety briefing that may reinforce the request to remain seated.
Firstly, a notice at the boarding point requiring passengers to remain seated. Although simple, the word ‘required’ carries a completely different weight than requested.
Additionally, where practicable, a notice on the rear of the seats, or on athwartships seating may be beneficial.
Both of these steps would reinforce the safety briefing(s). The possibility of the passenger signing a waiver was discussed but eventually it was thought that, from a passenger perspective, this would involve signing a piece of paper (with a lot of legal terminology) as opposed to fully reinforcing the danger.
A more difficult assessment may be to determine a passengers’ suitability to undertake the trip under the prevailing weather conditions, or a company decision as to the weather being sufficiently inclement to postpone the trip. This is subtly different from a passenger stating that they are fit to undertake the trip. It may impact upon commercial considerations but does provide another level of safety.
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