Collision between rigid inflatable boat Tiger One and a mooring buoy with 4 people injured
Location: River Thames, London, England.
Accident Investigation Report 10/2019
Investigation report into marine accident including what happened and safety lessons learned:
Summary
The commercially operated rigid inflatable boat (RIB) Tiger One hit a mooring buoy on the River Thames in London, England, at a speed of about 26 knots in darkness. Two passengers and the boat’s two crew were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Tiger One was severely damaged.
The skipper and his lookout did not see the mooring buoy in time to take avoiding action. The buoy’s light might have been difficult to see against the back scatter of shore lights and might also have been obscured to some degree by birds. The crew had limited experience of operating in the area during the hours of darkness. The skipper was navigating solely by eye and had either thought that Tiger One was closer to the centre of the navigable channel, or had forgotten that the buoy was there.
Safety lessons
- operating small passenger carrying open deck craft at high-speed on the river in darkness
- the visibility of buoy lights
- the benefits of robust RIB construction, seating design, and the use of kill cords
Recommendations
In view of actions taken by Tiger One’s owner, the Royal Yachting Association and the Port of London Authority, no recommendations have been made.