A fatal man overboard incident involving a disabled sailor off Cowes has led to national safety recommendations and significant changes to operations at the Andrew Cassell Foundation, following a Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report into the tragedy.
43-year-old Elizabeth Wood fell from the Sonar class keelboat ‘LimbItless’ during a race off Cowes on 1st October 2022. Despite being initially conscious in the water, she could not be recovered swiftly but was eventually hauled ashore.
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was scrambled to the scene and landed on the beach near Princes Green. However, despite the best efforts of air ambulance doctors, Cowes RNLI volunteers and other first aiders, the woman’s life could not be saved and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The MAIB report – released today (Thursday) – has concluded that the foundation’s procedures were insufficient for safely recovering a disabled person from the water. The incident occurred around 200m north of the foreshore at Cowes, during a race hosted by the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club.
Elizabeth, who was wearing a lifejacket, was unable to be recovered by the 3-person crew due to her physical condition, vessel design and lack of rescue equipment.
Key findings of the MAIB report include:
- There was no effective method of recovering Elizabeth from the water despite her known mobility limitations
- Risk assessments were incomplete and did not consider individual needs
- No dedicated safety boat was present, nor was appropriate recovery equipment available
- Person overboard recovery training was inadequate and did not simulate real-world conditions
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, has said:
“Any boating activity carries the risk of a person falling in the water. It is important that skippers and event organisers conduct an appropriate assessment to determine the level of assistance that might be required – such as equipment, personnel or support craft – to ensure the timely recovery of a person from the water.
“Additionally, vessel crews must be practised in the recovery of people from the water and be familiar with their rescue equipment.
“Not every event or outing requires bespoke equipment but it may be necessary, especially when sailing with people whose ability to assist with their own recovery might be impaired.
“All skippers should consider how they and their crew will recover an unconscious person from the water in a timely manner and ensure they and their crew practise thoroughly for such an event.”
In response to the accident, the Andrew Cassell Foundation has overhauled its operating procedures, introduced bespoke safety boat support when needed, and joined the RYA’s Sailability scheme for safer inclusive sailing.
The MAIB has recommended the Maritime and Coastguard Agency review the definition of the term ‘Pleasure Vessel’ to clarify that vessels operated by organisations and charities to take vulnerable adults and children afloat do not fall within the scope of that definition.
The Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group is recommended to bring this report to the attention of local authorities and invite them to consider oversight of waterborne charitable activities within their jurisdictions.
It is such a shame that a person as to die
then they call for safer sailing practices.
The same can be said about speeding etc
do people need to die before safety measures
are put in place
I have always believed “prevention is better
than cure”.
If only everyone believed the same.
Its a shame this woman died but at the end of the day this report is beyond belief. Sailing on the water brings a huge amount of risks, you are not on the land where someone can be recovered more easily. the rescue boats do no and can not carry huge electronic lifting hoists, its totally a no go.
She had a life jacket on and the rescue crews done whatever needed to be done.
Try pulling a normal able person out of the water especially if it’s a bit rough, it’s not easy.
I’m afraid it’s one of those things where accidents happen on the water.