Boat Skipper fined

Ribochet · 07 February 2013, 20:51

Boat skipper fined after hairdresser suffers facial scarring

A boat skipper has been ordered to pay £55,000 in damages to a Hairdresser left scarred after he smashed her face against a pole during a trip on the River Bann.

BBC News - Boat skipper fined after hairdresser suffers facial scarring

I have also been professionally involved in a tragic incident where a boat skipper is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

All very sad reminders of the responsibility we have as skippers.

PeterM · 07 February 2013, 20:58

I find that shocking...it looked 'sleek' etc ... Mr Justice Maguire needs a talking to .....and it was a private boat too ?

"As is clear from the photographs of the boat provided to the court, it is sleek and sporty.

" It is the sort of boat which one might expect a boat owner (at least sometimes) to drive fast and to experiment with

And that clearly makes him guilty

Just the daft compensation culture gone nuts...

Not to say I dont have empathy with the injured party

willk · 07 February 2013, 22:05

At the end of the day - the skipper is responsible, Leisure or Commercial.

It might grate a touch to see the legal system milk the insurance system a bit, but hey, one hand washes the other

I often have to explain to people why I always have insurance when I'm in charge of a boat. The reason is that I have a house and a business and some gits wouldn't think twice about taking them both from me if they stood up and fell out...

willk · 07 February 2013, 22:22

Here's another local lad getting a Lick o' the Law: Linky

The vessel

Previous fines

Ribliam · 07 February 2013, 22:23

I know of a situation 3 guys travelling in a RIB good day out few stops (scoops) at various villages over the course of the day, about 3 miles from final destination boat take bit of a jump which causes one of the crew to take a jolt, result broken wrist, 3.5 months out of work, have heard mention of who's going to pay..guy that owns RIB had no insurance at the time.
Oh yeah they are brothers, Old saying "Everything is OK until something goes wrong"

As I said when it comes to money..

Paul Cannell · 08 February 2013, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Here's another local lad getting a Lick o' the Law: Linky

The vessel

Previous fines

So he's fined £800, which is the same as he charged the 8 people who shouldn't have been on the boat

PeterM · 08 February 2013, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Here's another local lad getting a Lick o' the Law: Linky

The vessel

Previous fines

To be fair 20 on a boat coded for 12 is differant situation ..he was a professional charter boat ..so clearly would/should have know he was outside of what is acceptable.

peterthelight · 08 February 2013, 10:57

Well said PeterM. Ridiculous comments by the judge. We all know how a bunch of girls grouped together can act, especially if they had a good looking young skipper.

wavelength · 08 February 2013, 17:03

Quote:

We all know how a bunch of girls grouped together can act, especially if they had a good looking young skipper.

I am trying desperately to remember......but no its been an awfuly long time :-(

tonymac · 08 February 2013, 19:20

Is there not a speed limit on the Lower Bann?

willk · 08 February 2013, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

Is there not a speed limit on the Lower Bann?

Dunno - until recently they were allowed to ski on it...

Ribochet · 08 February 2013, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

Is there not a speed limit on the Lower Bann?

Good point - AFAIK there is no specific speed limit - Waterways Ireland just advise the following:

Your wash
You are asked to consider the wash of your boat and its effect on others. All engine-powered boats create a wave of water, known as a wash, which flows outwards from the boat as it moves forwards. Look behind you frequently to check the effect your wash has on other users. You are advised to reduce speed in narrow channels to prevent bank erosion, damage to reed beds and destruction of bird's nests among reed and bank habitats. Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays, jetties or locks or where water activities are taking place.

Power-boating, waterskiing, and jet-skiing are allowed in designated areas only.

These are at Coleraine, Drumaheglis, Bracknamuckley and Aughahoy - with a max speed of 20 mph.

Trailer Guy · 09 February 2013, 10:34

Surely there's an 's' missing in the beeb's first paragraph?.. Makes it sound like he grabbed the back of her head and smashes it in to the boat.

"after he smashed her face against a pole"

Poor girl, but the majority of RIBs are exciting to be in, ergo a tad dangerous, by their very nature, surely? As the poor chap and his son found the other day. Now that was terrible. But it also shows that even with experience, safety taken in to account and situational awareness, accidents can and do happen.

Andy Gee · 09 February 2013, 11:54

Just read through this-takes a bit of time!! Theres some interesting and important points raised.
This is why we have always gone for "proper" seats and not benches.

ROSEMARY CAIRNS v. NORTHERN LIGHT HOUSE AND CALYPSO MARINE, 07 February 2013, Lord Drummond Young

ANdy

kerny · 09 February 2013, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Gee

This is why we have always gone for "proper" seats and not benches.

ROSEMARY CAIRNS v. NORTHERN LIGHT HOUSE AND CALYPSO MARINE, 07 February 2013, Lord Drummond Young

ANdy

Can't see if it would make any difference between them, unless they are shock seats.

Andy Gee · 09 February 2013, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Can't see if it would make any difference between them, unless they are shock seats.

They are shock seats

willk · 09 February 2013, 12:25

Worth noting here that Calypso Marine post on RIBnet...

kerny · 09 February 2013, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Gee

They are shock seats

T 15 · 09 February 2013, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Good point - AFAIK there is no specific speed limit - Waterways Ireland just advise the following:

Your wash
You are asked to consider the wash of your boat and its effect on others. All engine-powered boats create a wave of water, known as a wash, which flows outwards from the boat as it moves forwards. Look behind you frequently to check the effect your wash has on other users. You are advised to reduce speed in narrow channels to prevent bank erosion, damage to reed beds and destruction of bird's nests among reed and bank habitats. Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays, jetties or locks or where water activities are taking place.

Power-boating, waterskiing, and jet-skiing are allowed in designated areas only.

These are at Coleraine, Drumaheglis, Bracknamuckley and Aughahoy - with a max speed of 20 mph.

a very much under used river, been on it three or four times and have travelled it full lenght twice,

ski club at New Ferry and in the 70's & 80's powerboat racing was also held at New Ferry.

Lower Bann Navigation Information | Waterways Ireland ePortal

.

peterthelight · 09 February 2013, 14:29

I understand that shock absorbing seats will assist but, based on this case, it still might not have prevented the injury to this woman's back. The important point in this case is that we should all advise our passengers to use their legs in the first instance to shock absorb.

When I did my Level 2 P/B I was not advised by the instructor to do so. To me, mind you, it does seem to be the most natural thing to do without being told.

Also, how many times have we asked our passengers if they have any possible back issues before we take them out. My instructor asked if we had any health problems but did not especially highlight back problems.

In this litigious world we live, we could be leaving ourselves or our insurers vulnerable to claims and that is not a good road to go down.