Person overboard from keelboat LimbItless with loss of 1 life
Location: off Cowes, Isle of Wight, England.
Accident Investigation Report 7/2025
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations:
Summary
On 1 October 2022 a crew member lost her life when she fell overboard from a Sonar class keelboat while racing off Cowes, Isle of Wight. Her crewmates were unable to recover her from the water before she succumbed to the effects of immersion. When extra help arrived, she was quickly removed from the water, first aid was administered, and she was taken ashore. Despite the efforts of the emergency services and medically qualified passersby she could not be revived.
Safety issues
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although she was wearing a correctly fitting lifejacket and appropriate sailing clothing the crew member rapidly succumbed to the effects of immersion and was unable to assist with her own recovery
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the activity’s risk assessment was incomplete as it did not consider how individuals who had fallen overboard would be recovered from the water
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the crew were insufficiently trained and practised in the recovery of a person overboard
Statement from the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents
Recommendations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is recommended to review the definition of the term ‘Pleasure Vessel’ to clarify that vessels operated by organisations and charities to take vulnerable adults and children afloat do not fall within the scope of that definition. The Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group is recommended to bring this report to the attention of local authorities and invite them to consider oversight of waterborne charitable activities within their jurisdictions.
Related publications
Photograph credit
Photograph of LimbItless courtesy of Andrew Cassell Foundation.