Tragedy at Padstow - 5 May 2013

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by Northern Tim

Very sad news indeed. It sounds like the kill cord either wasn't being worn, or the switch failed. I hope and pray that the injured get well soon.

The kill cord was still at attached to the Rib upon recovery so it couldn't have been a failure to shut down.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk ~ 07930 421007

[Nick Hearne]

Very very sad, just makes my heart sink to hear such news and after having such a good day on the water just make it all the more close!
My heart goes out to them all!

[spartan]

It dose not matter it they were rib net members or not one was and 8 year old child .we are all guilty at one time or an other of being human and not following the rules here are the rules have sea worthy boat carry plenty fuel ware a life jacket or survival suit use the kill cord. if you are going to do fast turns you must use a kill cord ,service you steering ,and if for some reason you have to make a tight turn shout it out the same goes for unexpected waves or wash. todays events will have consequences for all of us.

[mister p]

I believe that they already have.

[kerny]

Very sad!! lets not judge. Condolences to those lives lost.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Oscarguitar

I can not imagine how you could make a boat that size react so violently to throw 6 people out.

Very easily indeed I'm afraid...

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by spartan

It dose not matter it they were rib net members or not one was and 8 year old child .we are all guilty at one time or an other of being human and not following the rules here are the rules have sea worthy boat carry plenty fuel ware a life jacket or survival suit use the kill cord. if you are going to do fast turns you must use a kill cord ,service you steering ,and if for some reason you have to make a tight turn shout it out the same goes for unexpected waves or wash. todays events will have consequences for all of us.

If you had to tell people that someone they knew and their child had died like that you'd realise how much it matters. (sorry, edit-that sounded harsher than it was meant)


It's a sad indictment that even though we all know what we should do,a lot don't do it and a lot don't think it'll ever happen to them. Legislation won't make any difference (how often do you see someone driving with a mobile glued to their ear?).

A good example is my Ballistic-bought from a ribnet user.
The steering was so full of air and leaking so badly it lurched like a drunkard, the fuel gauge didn't work at all-it was actually impossible for it to work as it was the wrong sender-and the day of the sea trial he thought he didn't need a killcord as he wasn't going far.
The boat was a deathtrap and he said he'd been taking his kids out on it.

Proof that you can put the information out there as much as you like, but there will always be some idiot who won't think it applies to them.

[Dhf]

Very very sad news, my thoughts go out for the family and friends, whilst we shouldn't guess at what may have happen'd, I can't help feel that maybe quick release seat belts could prevent this type of heartbreaking tragedy.

[C2 RIBS]

More news on tragic events
Dog walker Simon Lewins, from Wadebridge, said he watched as a big, powerful boat going "a bit too fast" suddenly turned right, "depositing" people into the water.

"It kept going off in ever decreasing circles. The screams coming from the people in the water were pretty bad."

He said one of the coastguards then jumped in and managed to stop the boat and take it away."

We cannot speculate what happened. MAIB will review and let all of us know what they find.

Working in The Solent many years ago a 7.5 thre six in the water in similar circs and was down to a steering hydraulic failure( nothing to do with helm errors etc) but as everyone keeps stating this crew had a kill cord attached.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

We cannot speculate what happened. MAIB will review and let all of us know what they find.

Indeed. The report will make grim reading as these things lay everything bare. Thoughts are with the family.

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Very very sad, just makes my heart sink to hear such news and after having such a good day on the water just make it all the more close!
My heart goes out to them all!

With you on that one nick. Very sad news indeed.

[Mollers]

Lengthy report on BBC radio Cornwall this morning. This video has been posted. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-22423877


It would appear that the helm has either managed to either hook the boat or cause it to step out mid turn. Either way, the result must've been extremely violent in order to deposit all six aboard in the water.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

Very easily indeed I'm afraid...

Confession time: I had "moment" on the Anglesey cruise. We'd managed to get all the way around the island in the rough stuff & were legging it back up the Strait behind Deano in Rocknrolla, in flat calm conditions. I crossed his wake from stbd to port doing about 35kn. As we came of his port wake, BP tipped to port & dug in veering violently off to port, we all managed to hang on. As I looked down, the kill cord was dangling from the throttles. There but for the grace of God...................

PS just gone all goose bumpy typing this

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by kerny

very sad!! Lets not judge. Condolences to those lives lost.

+1

[behavin]

horrible accident and doesnt bear thinking about the terror for the people in the water and for people watching helpless from the shore.

question :
these sofa style seats in the bigger ribs ...are they safe ?
at least with the jockey seats you can clench your legs to hold on and also if inline there are handles infront to hold onto.

KILL CORDS ...wear them !

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Confession time: I had "moment" on the Anglesey cruise. We'd managed to get all the way around the island in the rough stuff & were legging it back up the Strait behind Deano in Rocknrolla, in flat calm conditions. I crossed his wake from stbd to port doing about 35kn. As we came of his port wake, BP tipped to port & dug in veering violently off to port, we all managed to hang on. As I looked down, the kill cord was dangling from the throttles. There but for the grace of God...................

PS just gone all goose bumpy typing this

PD, I like you always use my kill cord, but I too have glanced down on occasion to see it dangling, again but for the grace of God.............. all those who have never made a mistake please step forward!

[Mollers]

I've had 'Hey Joe' slip sideways mid turn. It takes a combination of hard over and a little too much gas, but the resulting slip could easily put everyone in the water if not expected.
Mrs M is the killcord nazi, even in the dinghy with the 5 on the back, she's watching.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by behavin

question :
these sofa style seats in the bigger ribs ...are they safe ?
at least with the jockey seats you can clench your legs to hold on and also if inline there are handles infront to hold onto.

!

That is a reasonable point, especially in a rib where there is very little freeboard to retain the occupants.

People/kids lying around up forward, whilst underway, on squidgy squabs etc horrifys me.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by behavin

question :
these sofa style seats in the bigger ribs ...are they safe ?
at least with the jockey seats you can clench your legs to hold on and also if inline there are handles infront to hold onto.

IMO they are not much worse than jockey seats, but neither are actually fit for purpose on fast boats.

[tonymac]

Condolences to all involved. So easy to do as PD has confessed.

Be careful out there ....