The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) has published its report following a fatality off Cowes, Isle of Wight, England on 1 October 2022.
The full report can be found here:
MAIBInvReport 7/2025 – LimbItless – Very Serious Marine Casualty
Brief Summary:
On 1 October 2022 a crew member lost her life when she fell overboard from a Sonar class keelboat while racing off Cowes, Isle of Wight. Her crewmates were unable to recover her from the water before she succumbed to the effects of immersion. When extra help arrived, she was removed from the water, first aid was administered, and she was taken ashore. Despite the efforts of the emergency services and medically qualified passersby she could not be revived.
The MAIB reported that:
- although she was wearing a correctly fitting lifejacket and appropriate sailing clothing the crew member rapidly succumbed to the effects of immersion and was unable to assist with her own recovery
- the activity’s risk assessment was incomplete as it did not consider how individuals who had fallen overboard would be recovered from the water
- the crew were insufficiently trained and practised in the recovery of a person overboard
A similar incident occurred in 1999 when a student attending a Professional Crew and Skipper Training course fell overboard while sailing with two other students off Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. The MAIB’s report into that incident can be found here:
Issues raised:
These incidents highlight key questions for the safety management of activities where participants may require recovery from the water.
- Have the participants’ abilities to assist in their own recovery been effectively assessed?
- Has relevant information about participants been shared with those who will directly supervise them during the activity?
- Is appropriate safety equipment available, ready to be deployed and its use understood and practised by those who are required to operate it?
- Have the risks associated with the activity been assessed in the context in which it will take place (location, participants, conditions)?
Posted 12/05/25
