Collision between motor yachts Minx and Vision with loss of 1 life

Location: ÃŽle Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, France.

Accident Investigation Report 1/2021

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken, and recommendations:

Damage to motor yacht Minx
Detail of damage to Minx
Damage to Vision

Summary

In the evening on 25 May 2019, the Gibraltar registered motor yacht Vision collided with the UK registered motor yacht Minx, which was anchored at ÃŽle Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, France. Minx바카라 사이트™s crewman was on the foredeck and there was nothing he could have done to prevent being fatally struck by Vision바카라 사이트™s bow. The accident happened because Vision바카라 사이트™s skipper underestimated the risk associated with attempting a fast, close pass by the anchored Minx, a manoeuvre intended to provide an opportunity for the guests to wave goodbye, as the charterer had asked. Vision바카라 사이트™s skipper had also consumed cannabis, which is likely to have impaired his judgement.

Safety Issues

  • it is vital for the safe operation of a commercial motor yacht, that the skipper prioritised the safety of the crew, passengers and the vessel

  • Vision바카라 사이트™s surface-drive propulsion system was complex to operate and there were insufficient margins for error in the skipper바카라 사이트™s plan to allow for any misjudgement, loss of control or failure

  • the use of recreational drugs, even in a 바카라 사이트˜tolerant바카라 사이트™ individual can impair decision-making and responses, which are vital for the safe operation of vessels

  • the accident took place in an anchorage with a 5-knot speed limit applicable to all vessels; however, Vision was proceeding at over six times that limit. Speed limits exist for a reason and it was unsafe to proceed at high speed in the anchorage

Recommendation

A safety recommendation (2021/101) has been made to the Royal Yachting Association and the Professional Yachting Association to promulgate the safety lessons from this accident to owners and operators of commercial motor yachts.

Updates to this page

Published 28 January 2021