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Displaying items by tag: Marine Casualty Investigation Board

A Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the death of Mr. Alain Adler after the six metre boat in he which he travelling capsized from a pier in West Cork in 2008 has found there was no single cause for this casualty. It was the accumulation of several poor decisions which resulted in the capsize of the vessel and related fatality. The post mortem found that Mr. Alder died as a result of acute cardio-respiratory failure and drowning associated with hypothermia.

In the early hours of 5th December 2008, ten people set off from Colla Pier near Schull, Co. Cork in an open boat (with sealed deck) powered by a 30 HP outboard engine to spend the weekend on Coney Island, which lies about one kilometre off the coast of Cork, in the south west of Ireland.

Shortly afterwards the boat capsized resulting in the death of Mr. Alain Adler.  The post mortem found that Mr. Adler died as a result of acute cardio-respiratory failure and drowning associated with hypothermia.

The report also concludes that although several members of the group were familiar with boats and the dangers of the sea, none wore the lifejackets/PFD's provided.

The full MCIB report is downloadable below.mcib

Published in MCIB
Page 8 of 8

About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances