MAIB: Fatality on Commercial Vessel

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued its report of the investigation of the accident on board the commercial sailing vessel ALBATROS in the Thames Estuary on 22 August 2004 that resulted in the death of a passenger. The passenger requested permission to go aloft. The request was approved by the master. The passenger was given instructions and provided a restraint belt and lifeline, but not an approved safety harness. During the climb, the passenger froze and then fell backwards, striking the port gunwale before falling overboard to his death. The investigation revealed that the sailing vessel lacked a safety management procedure and that the passenger received inadequate briefing and supervision. Report No. 7/2005 (HK Law).