Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) issued an investigation report on two fatalities involving a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) at Malin Beg Head, Co Donegal, in July 2017. With respect to this incident, MCIB reminded individuals of the necessity to comply with the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.
The incident
At approximately midday on the 8th of July 2017, two men departed on an angling trip in a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) from Teelin Pier near Rhannakilla, Co. Donegal. They were observed departing by a local boatman.
At 12.40 hrs the boatman encountered the RIB at sea and the two occupants appeared to be fishing using rods and reels. There was no further contact with the occupants of the RIB.
At about 10.30 hrs the following morning a man living close to Malin Beg Head found a body on the shore close to his land.
Shortly after 11.00 hrs the boatman who had seen them leave the pier the previous day, noticed that their car was still parked at Teelin Pier and became concerned for their safety. He contacted the Coast Guard to alert them.
A search was commenced and several lifeboats, Coast Guard units and the Coast Guard helicopter R118 were tasked to search an area centred at Malin Beg Head.
A short time later a second man’s body was taken from the sea about 400 metres (m) from where the first casualty was found.
The RIB and a debris field were found on the foreshore close to the location of the first casualty.
Conclusions
- The incident happened sometime between 12.40 hrs on the 8th of July, 2017 and 11.00 hrs on the 9th of July, 2017.
- It is unknown if the men were in the vessel when it finally came ashore or if they had entered the water earlier. The 400 m distance between the location of the wreck and the second Casualty suggests that the men entered the water before it came ashore.
- The severity of the damage to the vessel and the spread of the debris suggest the vessel came hard ashore in large breaking waves. The height above the sea where it came to rest suggests it came ashore before High Water.
- From the photograph evidence taken by the boatman, it would appear that the men were wearing their PFDs during the day. However, only one of the men had his PFD on when he was recovered. This suggests his entry to the water was involuntary rather than planned.
- It is clear from witness statements that the crew had difficulty with the outboard engine. The wind direction was westerly and the vessel on a lee shore. Without an anchor and with an unreliable engine in such a situation a vessel would quickly find itself in difficulties. It is likely, given the above, that the vessel drifted into an area of surf and breaking waves. It may have been swamped or capsized throwing the occupants overboard.
- No distress call was heard. This may have been due to a failure to realise the severity of the situation early enough. It is unclear if the VHF on the RIB was functioning. The use of mobile phones is not recommended as an appropriate emergency communication method. The mobile phone coverage in the area was poor.
- The alarm was not raised by anyone familiar with the men, which suggests that the men did not inform someone on shore of their plans for the voyage, or the proposed return time in particular.
- The toxicology accompanying the Coroner’s Post Mortem reports state that the casualties had a post mortem blood alcohol level of 268 mg and 214 mg respectively. It is not the role of the MCIB to determine the effect of alcohol on the casualties, though the use of alcohol is known to have an effect on a person’s cogitative function and is contrary to the legislative provisions referred to in the Code.
Recommendations
We recommend that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport issue a Marine Notice reminding individuals of their obligations to comply with the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.
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