Safety Flash
MAIB: Flooding and sinking of the survey workboat Bella
MAIB: Flooding and sinking of the survey workboat Bella
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 26/22
- Management of ChangeMarine OperationsStructural and Asset Integrity
- Regulation and legislationStructural and asset integrityVessel flooding and foundering
- Marine operations
- Personal protective equipment
- Competence and trainingEvacuation, escape and rescueManagement of change
- Marine industry
- Marine watersVessel
Summary
This safety flash summarises MAIB findings on Bella’s sinking during hydrographic surveying near Lynmouth. Survey equipment modifications reduced forward freeboard, while inadequate buoyancy allowed swamping to overwhelm the boat. It highlights certification and safety-management shortcomings, alongside the crew’s successful abandonment using personal flotation devices and a life raft.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Vessel flooding and foundering; water ingress.
Classifications: Marine operations; maritime operations.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Marine waters.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A modified survey workboat flooded and sank after reduced freeboard made it vulnerable to boarding seas.
IMCA SF 26/22. Themes: management of change, marine operations, structural and asset integrity.