MAIB Report - Race Boat Hooks at 100mph in Southampton Water

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100mph Race Boat Hooks & Inverts - MAIB Report

21.03.2016

100mph Race Boat Hooks & Inverts - MAIB Report

MAIB Report - Race Boat Hooks 100mph in Southampton Water

On 13 May 2015 a Vector V40R powerboat hooked, inverted and made contact with a navigation buoy located near to the entrance to the River Hamble, Southampton Water.

The boat, a 13 metre (43 feet) offshore racing powerboat, was undertaking an engine performance test run on Southampton water. One of the occupants was seriously injured and 3 others required hospitalisation.

The boat had reached a maximum speed of 87 knots (100 miles per hour) during the test and was being returned to the Hamble when the accident occurred.

Three of the occupants escaped from the upturned boat. But the driver’s son was knocked unconscious inside the cockpit. The driver dived back under the boat and brought his son to the surface, where he was resuscitated.

Vector V40R - Offshore Racing Powerboat

The Vector V40R powerboat involved in the accident was a fully enclosed (or canopied) 13.1m length offshore racing boat, constructed of glass reinforced plastic. Its hull was stepped and had multiple strakes. The boat was powered by two Ilmor V10 engines, each producing 540kW (725hp) which gave a top speed of over 87knots (100mph).

Accident Investigation Report 2/2016 - Published 24 February 2016

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has issued an accident report titled: 'Contact made by Vector V40R powerboat with navigation buoy with 3 people injured.

Safety Issues

During the test run the offshore powerboat was operated at a speed of 100mph while the occupants were not wearing their seatbelts or safety helmets.
The driver lost control of the boat causing it to hook and invert while making a turn at high speed.
In order to safeguard all on board, there is a need for training and personal safety requirements of the race rules to be applied to all racing powerboats involved in or preparing for organised racing events, including tests, and whenever inexperienced crew or passengers are carried.
No prior notification was given to the harbour authority regarding the intention to undertake the high speed test.
Had there been an enforceable speed limit in Southampton Water the likelihood of this accident occurring would have been reduced.
Had the harbour authority’s requirements for the laying and marking of fishing gear in Southampton Water been complied with, the markers might have been seen and recognised at an earlier stage, and the accident avoided.

View detailed MAIB accident report PDF below:

Lessons to be Learned

No written risk assessment for the test had been undertaken and the control measures for the test were insufficient.

No notice of the intended high speed test had been given to the relevant harbour authority.

None of the crew were wearing seatbelt harnesses or helmets, although this equipment was readily available as its use was mandatory when the boat was participating in organised racing events.

A recommendation has been made to the vessel’s owners to ensure that appropriate safety requirements are applied whenever the vessel is driven at planing speed.