Diamond Emblem 1 report published

Today, we have published our accident investigation report into a person overboard after Diamond Emblem 1’s stern made hard contact against the embankment wall at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station on the River Bure on 19 August 2020, resulting in the loss of one life.

Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, said:

Boating holidays provide an excellent way of experiencing the UK’s network of inland waterways and the vast majority of the many trips completed each year are safe and uneventful. However, this tragic accident demonstrates that boating is not without risk. A serious situation can quickly develop from benign circumstances if adequate precautions are not in place to mitigate the risks associated with controlling the boat and preventing people from falling overboard.

Large motor cruisers with sophisticated controls are becoming increasingly common and are often driven by members of the public who have limited or no proficiency in boat handling. It is imperative that complex multi helm controls incorporate appropriate technical features and indications to minimise the likelihood of an inadvertent loss of control. Adequate protection around exposed deck areas is equally important in ensuring that no one falls into the water. Furthermore, handovers, including in-water demonstrations, and hire boat documentation need to be complete and rigorous in order to ensure that hirers have sufficient proficiency to safely handle the vessel in their charge.

Following this investigation, I have made recommendations to enhance the governance, oversight and safety of hire boat operations. I have also recommended to the boat’s operator that they address various aspects of the safe operation of their boats. This includes enhancing its handover procedures and undertaking a thorough assessment of the risks of people falling overboard from its hire craft to ensure that the hazards are appropriately mitigated. Such an assessment is essential to ensuring that another similar accident to this does not happen again.

The above photograph is courtesy of Norfolk Constabulary.