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Personal Watercraft
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Cork Harbour - October 2021
A sailing incident occurred on 24 October 2021 during a race in Cork Harbour when the yacht “Jelly Baby” grounded on a lee shore after a crew member went overboard while resolving a snagged halyard. The MCIB noted contributing factors including the halyard issue, the crew member not being tethered at that moment, and the difficulty of managing an unexpected MOB during active sail handling. The report focuses on equipment management, use of tethers, and MOB readiness as key learning points for future racing. REPORT NO. MCIB/314
Baltimore - June 2023
On 6 June 2023 the sailing vessel “Inish Ceinn” departed from Baltimore, Co. Cork for a short coastal passage to Cape Clear. Shortly after departure the vessel’s propeller became fouled by a large trawl net, the engine lost power and the yacht drifted onto rocks near Sherkin Island. All five persons onboard were safely rescued but the vessel was a total loss. The MCIB identified the propulsion failure caused by the net entanglement and highlighted the need for effective passage planning, snorkel checks in coastal waters, and emergency anchoring capability. REPORT NO. MCIB/327
South Coast Cork - December 2021
A fire occurred on 13 December 2021 when the yacht Black Magic, underway from Crosshaven to Kinsale, suffered an engine failure that ignited a fire at the outboard motor. The skipper was safely rescued, but the yacht was lost. The MCIB found the incident was caused by a mechanical failure in the petrol outboard engine, likely exacerbated by operating at high load, with spilled fuel also contributing to ignition. REPORT NO. MCIB/313
Bruckless Pier - September 2023
A fatal boating incident occurred in September 2023 at Bruckless Pier, Co. Donegal, when a man operating his motor boat alone fell overboard in poor weather and drowned. The MCIB found the incident was caused by operating solo in unsafe conditions, lack of a lifejacket, no means of raising the alarm, and the vessel’s limited ability for re-boarding after entering the water. REPORT NO. MCIB/332
Carrick-On-Shannon - August 2023
A fatal fire occurred on 7 August 2023 on a motor cruiser moored at Carrick-on-Shannon when an LPG leak ignited while the occupant was asleep. The MCIB found the incident was caused by a failed gas line supplying a fridge pilot light, allowing gas to accumulate unnoticed, and the absence of smoke or carbon-monoxide alarms contributed to the fatal outcome. REPORT NO. MCIB/331/INTERIM
Lacken Pier - July 2023
A fatal boating incident occurred on 16 July 2023 at Lacken Pier, Beltra, Co. Mayo, when the owner of a recreational craft entered the water during a launching operation and was swept out to sea before being recovered deceased. The MCIB found the incident was caused by attempting to board or enter the water unsafely in a drifting boat, lack of safety planning and preparation, absence of adequate re-boarding ability and no personal flotation device worn. REPORT NO. MCIB/329
Jamestown - September 2020
On 6 September 2020 four clients of Carrickcraft, having rented a Linssen Grand Sturdy 35.0 motor cruiser on the previous day, departed Carrick-on-Shannon heading south. Approximately 45 minutes into their journey, near Jamestown, a fire broke out in the engine compartment. The clients abandoned the vessel onto a passing charter boat. The fire brigade attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Soon afterwards the vessel sank in approximately eight metres (m) of water. REPORT NO. MCIB/303
Lough Mask - March 2019
A fatal incident occurred on 8 March 2019 on Lough Mask, Co. Mayo, when a 78-year-old angler operating his lake boat alone failed to return and was later found drowned. The MCIB identified the key causes as the operator going afloat alone in roughening weather, the lack of a lifejacket, no communication or alert system, and the boat’s limited re-boarding capability in cold water of approx. 8 °C. REPORT NO. MCIB/287
Coonanna Pier - September 2019
A fatal incident occurred in September 2019 off Coonanna Pier, Co. Cork, when a recreational powerboat capsized and the occupant drowned. The investigation found the incident was caused by launching a craft in unsuitable water conditions, the absence of a lifejacket, and no shore contact or effective alarm-raising system. REPORT NO. MCIB/282
Portronan - July 2018
A recreational powerboat departed from Portronan, Co. Donegal on 17 July 2018. The craft’s engine failed and the vessel swamped while anchored; two fatalities resulted after being in the water for 5 hours. The MCIB found the voyage was insufficiently planned, anchoring by the stern made the craft vulnerable to swamping and the primary distress-alarm method (a mobile phone) was inadequate. REPORT NO. MCIB/280
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