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:



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
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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
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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
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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
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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.