A passenger sustained serious spinal injuries during a sea safari on the Lundy Explorer RIB at Ilfracombe, England, on 7 June 2023. The incident occurred when the boat faced unexpected high waves while leaving the harbour.
According to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), the passenger, seated in a jockey seat at the front, was dislodged and suffered a fracture that resulted in permanent paralysis.
The MAIB’s report highlighted key safety issues. Local weather quickly deteriorated, increasing wave heights that the skipper did not anticipate. The positioning of jockey seats was deemed unsuitable for single occupancy, exposing passengers to high shock loads.
Additionally, it was noted that pre-departure safety briefings lacked adequate instructions on seating use. Current regulations do not address safety standards for seating on high-speed rigid inflatable boats (RIBs).
In response, the MAIB made several recommendations. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency should extend safety assessments to include risks associated with seating in the front of RIBs. Ilfracombe Sea Safari Limited is urged to implement a safety management system addressing operational procedures and risk assessments.
The Royal Yachting Association, British Marine, and the Professional Charter Association have been advised to share the report with their members.
Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, stated, “This dreadful accident highlights… significant injuries can still occur on rigid inflatable boat rides when inappropriate seating arrangements are used.” He encouraged operators to review safety measures and improve passenger briefings.
Download the Lundy Explorer MAIN report below
