CHIRP recently published its 56th edition of Maritime Feedback focusing on several reports concerning safety onboard and accidents. In this report, CHIRP highlights the dangers crews face onboard yachts, given the fact that the majority of yachts are focused on an aesthetically good architecture but lack safety measures.
On July 24, the superyacht Blue Magic hit a pier at the port of Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy, after losing control. Before the yacht hit the pier, it first collided with a sailing yacht, which was eventually crushed between the dock and the Magic’s bow. When the collision happened, the sailing boat did not have anyone on board, and no injuries were reported.
The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Torbjørn Røe initiated an action plan last January to reduce the number of serious accidents related with the use of recreational craft. The government has a zero-accidents vision for boat traffic. In addition to the zero vision, an ambitious milestone for the first period has been set: 50% reduction in the number of fatalities associated with use of recreational craft before the end of the planning period.
Voyager Maritime Alliance Group (VMAG) announced the completion of the biggest project in their 30-year history, the largest superyacht conversion to ever occur in the US. The ‘Big Project’ converted an ex-offshore supply vessel to a superyacht.
The Italian shipyard VSY launched a motor yacht that incorporates environmental systems to allow navigation in marine protected areas. The 64 meter-long motor yacht Atomic is equipped with a dynamic positioning system designed to minimize the impact on the seabed when anchoring.
In its latest Safety Digest, the UK MAIB describes a case of a yacht grounding during an ocean race. With respect to this incident, MAIB advised that every vessel sailing at sea needs a passage plan that has identified all potential hazards for the voyage ahead.
Transport Malta MSIU issued an investigation report on a fatal fall onboard the pleasure yacht ‘La Polonia’, while moored at Porto Maurizio, Italy. On the morning of 4 July 2018, the chief stewardess was found lying on the floor of her cabin, unresponsive, with her legs on the stairs.
A total of 11 people drowned in 2018 in UK because they did not wear a lifejacket or a buoyancy aid. This is one of the main findings of this year’s Casualty Review Panel, who met earlier this year to discuss last year’s maritime fatalities.
UK-based seafarer welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers announced cooperation with superyacht brokerage house Burgess, to establish a welfare support network for superyacht crew, representing an industry first in the maritime industry.
UK MAIB issued an investigation report on the fatal man overboard incident involving the UK registered world racing yacht ‘CV30’ approximately 1500 nm west of Fremantle, Australia. Simon Speirs was initially secured to the yacht, but before he could be recovered his safety tether hook distorted and suddenly released.
