Wash from high speed ferry swamping cabin cruiser with 1 person injured
Location: Lady Bay, Loch Ryan, Scotland.
Accident Investigation Report 4/2004
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:
(387.50 kb)
Summary
In the early afternoon of 3 September 2003, the owner of a small cabin cruiser, with two friends, made preparations for a short fishing trip on Loch Ryan, south-west Scotland. Shortly after the boat was launched in Lady Bay, and while still close to the shoreline, the boat was struck by two waves which swamped her and swept her ashore. The boat suffered damage and the owner was injured.
Safety Issues
Waves generated by the wash from fast ferries have been recognised as a problem during the mid-1990s, usually because of large waves breaking on the shoreline of the loch. Small boats had also been affected by these waves when within 50 metres of the shoreline. Consequential changes in operational procedures by the ferry operators have significantly reduced the frequency of reported problems. The investigation invited submissions from members of the public on the subject of large unexpected waves on Loch Ryan. It has been concluded that while significant reductions have been made to wash-generated waves on the loch, this accident and other data show that some dangers remain.
Recommendations
Three recommendations are made, all addressed to Dumfries and Galloway Council, which, if accepted and implemented, will initiate some immediate remedial actions and set in motion a course of action to put in place a system of safety management on and around Loch Ryan under the umbrella of a statutory harbour authority.
This report was published in April 2004.