Milly accident report published

jumpinjack · 29 January 2014, 23:20

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources...ile=/Milly.pdf Report attached.

extensive annex http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources...nedAnnexes.pdf

Bigtalljv · 30 January 2014, 00:04

No less sad and frustrating when written in dry technical prose. If you get past the human toll it seems interesting and informative.

Crusher · 30 January 2014, 06:46

As said before just tragic, I sincerely hope it makes more people wear their kill cord.
Good summary by the BBC I thought....

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-25948960

Chris Caton · 30 January 2014, 06:59

tragic

John Kennett · 30 January 2014, 07:11

Desperately sad, and so easily avoided.

Deekus · 30 January 2014, 07:43

Sobering reading.......so sad.

Be safe out there.

'Safety isnt expensive, its priceless'

Mollers · 30 January 2014, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Desperately sad, and so easily avoided.

Possibly, but would you've thrown a hard turn from the passenger seat, with no KC attached to anyone, small kids loose onboard and 300hp on tap? :-( A reckless manoeuvre?

boristhebold · 30 January 2014, 08:03

Yes very sad and avoidable. Ive just read most of the article which is very interesting in a technical way. Kind of raises some issues with the particular boat make in a number of area's, glad mine is a much older version of the brand which they suggest didnt have similar issues. Still having said all that if you put engine in full throttle in a really tight turn things will probably go bad with any boat.

The Kill Cord issue is such an important one, perhaps we should all start to complain to the advertising watch bodies about all those pictures in the boating mags where people in fast small boats are not wearing kill cords or life jackets. ?

Pikey Dave · 30 January 2014, 08:36

Should be required reading for all small high powered craft owners. The explanation of how a "hook" occurs is clear & concise.

Ribandmotorhome · 30 January 2014, 08:55

I was thrown off the console, over the tubes and in the drink on my old 4m narwhall and that only had a 40hp.

I had the kill cord on and it stopped instantly.
It was funny at the time but taught me a valuable lesson before my kids were born and on the boat.
Thank goodness!

willk · 30 January 2014, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Kind of raises some issues with the particular boat make in a number of area's, glad mine is a much older version of the brand which they suggest didnt have similar issues. Still having said all that if you put engine in full throttle in a really tight turn things will probably go bad with any boat

Paul Lemmer's published R.I. review of that hull (in the appendices) is fairly damning on that subject. He seemed to feel that the tendency for the stern to lift and plane sideways before violently digging in (slide/hook/sidedump/whatever) was a flaw in the design that could/should be addressed. I'm not sure when the article was published, or the Milly hull built.

On another note, the driver had a level of blood alcohol that suggests a couple of beers or similar had been consumed. Not enough to impair driving skills IMO, but maybe enough to relax and reduce the sense of caution.

Mixing 300hp with seawater is a heady cocktail that we'd all enjoy. But it's a mix that can turn sour very easily. Our nature is to enjoy ourselves and not focus on the bad stuff that "is never going to happen to us". Sometimes it does.

Boating - Do it Right - Everytime.

Mollers · 30 January 2014, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Should be required reading for all small high powered craft owners. The explanation of how a "hook" occurs is clear & concise.

Most hulls will hook if pushed hard enough to do so, mine included. On raising my OB by 20mm, a hook became a little too easy to induce. It's a very aggresive reaction and would easily send unprepared occupants over the side.

Mollers · 30 January 2014, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Mixing 300hp with seawater is a heady cocktail that we'd all enjoy. But it's a mix that can turn sour very easily. .

Sadly, I witness such 'cocktails' far too regularly off of here of a summer's day.

Girls/kids bouncing around in the front of bowriders, whilst the helm attacks wake at full tilt makes my blood run cold.

PeterM · 30 January 2014, 09:22

Thanks to Paul for posting that.

At this time of year when we are all itching to get out and enjoy this really did give me dry mouth and slightly sick feeling in my stomach as I mentally could picture the sequence of events.

Wearing the killcord - we've all 'forgotten' at some point I'm sure - but this highlights how quickly fun can turn fatal.

When combining 300HP,a few drinks, the 'relative' inexperance of the family on the boat,and how going to WOT with so much power on a hull that would slide and then grip again - the outcome was I feel only a matter of time- the lack of kill cord being worn turning a scary incident in to a fatal accident.

For me its highlighted the need to know the handlng of boat you are driving - especially if your operating at the extremes of its performance ......

willk · 30 January 2014, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

Wearing the killcord - we've all 'forgotten' at some point I'm sure - but this highlights how quickly fun can turn fatal.

I certainly have. On my own boat I had to devise a method to ensure that I didn't. But it's happened since on others craft - once with 600hp under my hand. I remember glancing down and thinking

"Sh1t! - you idiot!"

Ribandmotorhome · 30 January 2014, 09:37

I agree. Education is the key!

I know a chap with a scarab powerboat in Poole fitted with 2x 7.4 v8 engines.
He has never had a kill lanyard or insurance and if you mention it to him he looks blankly back at you like your taking the piddle out of him.
He can't swim but doesn't have life jacket or dry/wet suit on the boat either!

It's strange because he overly worries about the sea state, the tide and driving the boat in close quarters etc.

But not safety!
Accident waiting to happen, frightening!!
Just one if those jump in and go fast plonkers!!

indaba1991 · 30 January 2014, 09:39

Like a number of Cobras the throttle control is left hand based. I don't know about anyone else but I personally find left hand throttle controls to be more difficult to use smoothly. I find this especially so with an electronic throttle where there is no "cable resistance". I find I have the same concerns driving a left hand drive car with manual shift.

teamplonker · 30 January 2014, 10:12

A very Sad end to what was probably a great day out, But even with the possible hull design flaw and the aggressive maneuver an easily avoided catastrophe with the use of a couple of pound plastic coated piece of string.
This year I will be fitting kill cord stickers to the console as I sometimes forget at helm changes to put it back on.

Pikey Dave · 30 January 2014, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Most hulls will hook if pushed hard enough to do so, mine included............. It's a very aggresive reaction and would easily send unprepared occupants over the side.

I agree 100%, I have only hooked my boat once, & it scared the bejaysus out of me, entirely my fault, I was showing off

Oddly, I had also had a beer, just the one & was well within the limit for driving. Makes you think

Pikey Dave · 30 January 2014, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by indaba1991

Like a number of Cobras the throttle control is left hand based. I don't know about anyone else but I personally find left hand throttle controls to be more difficult to use smoothly. I find this especially so with an electronic throttle where there is no "cable resistance". I find I have the same concerns driving a left hand drive car with manual shift.

My throttles are on the left, that's how I had it rigged, all my boats have been the same, it seems natural & "right" for me. I'm right handed btw.