Flooding and sinking of the survey workboat Bella, Lynmouth, England. Report on the investigation of flooding and sinking of the survey workboat Bella in the approaches to Lynmouth, England, on 6 July 2021, by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
Summary:
On 6 July 2021, the UK survey workboat Bella flooded and sank while carrying out hydrographic survey operations in the approaches to Lynmouth, England. Bella’s crew abandoned into the life raft and were rescued uninjured by a local boat owner; there was no pollution.
The key safety issues identified were:
- The survey workboat Bella was vulnerable to swamping, even in moderate sea conditions, because its multibeam echo sounder gantry, reduced its forward freeboard.
- Despite being issued with the necessary certification, Bella was not compliant with The Workboat Code; shortcomings in construction and means of flotation were missed during the certifying survey due to the surveyor’s overreliance on Recreational Craft Directive documentation.
- Bella’s crew were inexperienced and underestimated the risk of operating the vessel in open sea and were guided by an ineffective safety management system.
- The crew’s wearing of PFDs and familiarity with lifesaving equipment led to a safe and orderly abandonment.
Safety recommendations:
- The Maritime Coastguard Agency has been recommended to Provide guidance to Certifying Authorities regarding the application of the Recreational Craft Directive when certifying vessels for commercial operation.
Bella’s owner has been recommended to implement a safety management system for its vessels that follows the principles of the ISM Code.