The UK MAIB has published its annual report including an overview of all accidents reported in 2016 along with details of their investigations and marine accident statistics. Last year has been a ‘typically busy year’, the UK MAIB says; there were 1,190 accidents reported (1057 in 2015) and 29 investigations were started (28 in 2015).
Although 2016 started quietly, during April, five accidents reported, of which the foundering of the fishing vessel Louisa, off Mingulay being the most notable. Another serious case was the poisoning of a couple due to carbon monoxide, which is responsible for too many unnecessary deaths on small leisure boats and fishing vessels. In May the UK MAIB issued the investigation report of the incident to highlight lessons learned and increase awareness of the leisure boating community to the dangers of CO. Considering that carbon monoxide is a silent killer, the UK MAIB cited how important is for boats to be fitted with carbon monoxide alarms.
On average, it took 10.8 for the UK MAIB to complete an investigation and publish the related report. The time taken to publish these reports can often be affected by external factors, such as the need to employ external consultants as well as internal issues such as Branch workload and the complexity of the task in hand, the UK MAIB explains; however its future target is to minimize the required time below 10 months.
”Of particular note was the publication in April of the MAIB’s report into the sinking of the Cyprus registered cargo vessel Cemfjord with the loss of her entire 8-man crew. This was a tragic, yet avoidable accident, but at the time it received very little attention from the mainstream media.” Steve Clinch, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents comments.
Find out more details of the investigations reports published by the UK MAIB during 2016 herebelow
