Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report into a collision between the 7-metre tender to the Gibraltar-flagged 64-metre motor yacht Isabell Princess of the Sea and the 5.6-metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) Vega, resulting in one fatality in Göcek, Turkey.
The accident took place on the evening of 27 July 2024. Carrying four people, the yacht’s tender struck the drifting Vega, which was displaying its all-round white light. The tender was travelling at around 28 knots, above the local harbour speed limit of 10 knots.
On impact, the tender rode over Vega’s port quarter. The skipper was thrown into the water and the sole passenger was trapped beneath the hull. Despite immediate rescue efforts at the scene, the passenger – a 28-year-old Turkish national – later died from injuries and drowning.
According to MAIB’s investigation, the tender’s high-speed and unplanned passage were key contributors to the accident.
The report further revealed that the individual at the helm – Isabell’s owner’s representative – had also consumed alcohol above permitted levels, raising concerns of impaired judgment. Neither the captain of Isabell nor the owner’s representative challenged the decision to use the tender, and no lifejackets were in use.
MAIB also highlighted broader issues in vessel operations and management. While Fraser Worldwide S.A.M.’s safety management system (SMS) prohibited alcohol consumption by crew while operating vessels, this ruling did not extend such restriction to recreational use of tenders.
Additionally, the report pointed out some uncertainty over the roles and authority of the captain and the owner’s representative, which may have undermined the captain’s ability to prevent the incident. For Vega, investigators found that although the skipper was qualified, the decision to stop and drift without sidelights increased the RIB’s vulnerability.
Conclusions from the report include that the tender was operating at an unsafe speed, and the presence of alcohol may have impaired safe operation, with responsibility insufficiently defined. While Vega’s lighting made it challenging to detect.
As a result of the accident, the Gocek port authority plans to step up inspections to ensure compliance with navigation light regulations. In response, Fraser has updated its SMS to include specific policies for tender use at night. The owner of Isabell Princess of the Sea has also amended its letter of authority to clarify the responsibility of the captain. Given these measures taken, MAIB has issued no further safety recommendations.
The full report can be accessed via MAIB.
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