Shock Mitigation Directory

UK RIB Accident - 2 Fatalities - MAIB Report Released

03.02.2014

Marine Accident Investigation Branch 'Milly' RIB report 5/2014 published 30 January 2014.

This reports the MAIB investigation into a fatal accident on 5 May 2013 when the Milligan family (2 adults and their 4 children) were ejected from their RIB ‘Milly’ during a family day out on the Camel estuary, near Padstow, Cornwall, UK.

The RIB continued to circle round the family, striking a number of them and causing two fatalities and seriously injuring two others.

Report name: ‘Milly’ (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat)
Report published: 30 January 2014
Incident date: 5 May 2013
Report number: 5/2014

The key safety issues identified were:

• A kill cord was not attached to the driver at the time of the accident.
• The drivers were unprepared for the boat’s reaction when it was turned at speed and then “hooked” as they did not have the level of boat handling skills required to control such a turn.
• Trials undertaken on the boat found that it developed a high angle of heel when turned at high speeds.
• Occupants should be seated, holding on and as far aft as possible when boats are travelling at speed.

There are many lessons to be learned from this tragic incident.

View detailed MAIB accident report PDF below:

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