Overview

• Investigators found a high wave dislodged a lone passenger from a forward jockey seat on the Lundy Explorer as it left Ilfracombe Harbour on June 7, 2023, causing spinal fractures and permanent paralysis.
• The report concludes the front jockey seats were unsuitable for single occupancy and subjected riders to the highest shock loads during wave impacts as weather deteriorated faster than expected.
• MAIB criticized the pre-departure safety briefing for omitting posture and handhold guidance and noted the skipper did not radio the coastguard, which may have delayed medical advice and response.
• The agency recommended operators strengthen procedures, risk assessments and briefings, urged industry bodies to circulate its findings, and advised the MCA to require assessing risks of seating people in the front third of high-speed RIBs in the forthcoming Code of Practice.
• Ilfracombe Sea Safari said it has been under new management since early 2024 and has implemented the report’s measures, while investigators reported two further 2025 excursions linked to the operator resulted in spinal injuries, set against MAIB data of 54 RIB back-injury cases since 2001.