News story: Osprey RIBs report and flyer published

Collision between RIBs Osprey and Osprey II in the Firth of Forth, Scotland resulting in serious injuries to one passenger

MAIBs report of the collision between the rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) Osprey and Osprey II resulting in serious injuries to one passenger in the Firth of Forth, Scotland on 19 July 2016 is now published.

The report contains details of what happened, subsequent actions taken, and recommendations made.

PDF, 4.25MB, 40 pages

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email maib@dft.gsi.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MAIB statement:

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has investigated several accidents in which people have been injured as a result of inappropriate seating on RIBs.

The message is clear: There are currently no regulations preventing persons on RIBs from sitting on the inflatable tubes. Passengers not sitting on suitable inboard seating have an increased risk of falling overboard, are at significant risk of musculoskeletal injuries and, as demonstrated by this accident, are exposed to serious injury in the event of a collision. The faster the RIB, the greater the risk.

As a consequence, we have today recommended the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to include in its forthcoming Recreational Craft Code that the certified maximum number of passengers carried on commercially operated passenger carrying RIBs should be limited to the number of suitable seats designated for passengers. We have also made a recommendation to the Royal Yachting Association aimed at improving the guidance available to the operators of commercial passenger carrying RIBs.

A safety flyer for the small commercial vessel industry summarising the accident and detailing the safety lessons learned has also been produced and is contained as an annex to the report. The flyer can be viewed and downloaded as a separate document here.