Overview

• The Marine Accident Investigation Branch released its findings on the June 7, 2023 Lundy Explorer trip, confirming a passenger was dislodged from a forward jockey seat and suffered permanent paralysis.
• The inquiry concluded the front jockey seats were unsuitable for single occupancy because the bow experiences the highest shock loads as RIBs strike waves.
• The pre-departure safety briefing failed to instruct passengers on posture, handholds, or seat use, and the skipper phoned the owner rather than radioing the coastguard, which may have delayed specialist advice and the emergency response.
• Recommendations target Ilfracombe Sea Safari’s operating procedures and urge the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to update the small-vessels Code of Practice to require assessing and mitigating risks of seating passengers in the front third of high-speed boats, with industry bodies asked to circulate the report.
• Ilfracombe Sea Safari says new management since early 2024 has implemented the guidance, as MAIB data show 54 RIB-related back-injury cases since 2001, including 17 spinal fractures.