An inquest into the death of a houseboat resident in the UK has highlighted safety issues with the design of emergency ladders at marinas.
As Marine Industry News reports, Catherine Forbes died at the Thames and Kennet Marina in Caversham on 31 March 2023 in an incident ruled to be an accidental drowning.
But a recent inquest into Forbes’ death at Oxford Coroner’s Court heard that the marina’s emergency ladders were of an inadequate length.
Evidence suggests that Forbes — who had been socialising and returned to her houseboat late at night amid poor weather — fell into the water and was unable to climb out using a nearby ladder which extended only 60cm below the water’s surface.
The inquest revealed that Forbes was the third person to die in similar circumstances at the then Five Gold Anchor-rated marina, near Reading, since 2016.
In mid November, Coroner Darren Salter issued a report citing systemic safety concerns at this and other marinas, highlighting issues with the size, number and positioning of emergency ladders, as well as the absence of accessible flotation devices and alarms.
Marine Industry News has more on the story HERE.
