Report shows compliance shortcomings, crew inexperience caused survey boat flooding incident in Lynmouth, England

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its investigation report into a flooding and sinking incident involving a survey vessel in Lynmouth, England, in 2021.

On July 6 of that year, the survey workboat Bella flooded and sank while carrying out hydrographic survey operations in the approaches to Lynmouth.

The boat’s crew abandoned into a liferaft and were rescued uninjured by a local boat owner. The incident did not result in pollution.

Safety issues

• The workboat was vulnerable to swamping, even in moderate sea conditions, because its multibeam echo sounder gantry reduced its forward freeboard.
• Despite being issued with the necessary certification, Bella was not compliant with the Workboat Code; shortcomings in construction and means of flotation were missed during the certifying survey due to the surveyor’s overreliance on Recreational Craft Directive documentation.
• Bella’s crew were inexperienced and underestimated the risk of operating the vessel in open sea and were guided by an ineffective safety management system.
• The crew’s wearing of PFDs and familiarity with lifesaving equipment led to a safe and orderly abandonment

Recommendations

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has been recommended to provide guidance to certifying authorities regarding the application of the Recreational Craft Directive when certifying vessels for commercial operation.

Bella’s owner has also been recommended to implement a safety management system for its vessels in compliance to the principles of the ISM Code.