A woman has been left paralysed after being thrown from a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) during a sea safari trip off the Devon coast in June 2023. The incident occurred when the vessel, Lundy Explorer, collided with a high wave, hurling the passenger from her seat. She told a deckhand she could not feel her legs and was airlifted to a Plymouth hospital for treatment.
An investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found several safety issues. The woman was seated alone in a jockey seat designed for two passengers, exposing her to a high shock load. The report noted that seats in the front third of a RIB carry a higher risk of lower back injuries.
The MAIB also found that the pre-departure safety briefing did not adequately inform passengers about seat use or the boat's risks. The skipper was ill-prepared for worsening weather conditions. Since 2001, the MAIB has recorded 54 RIB accidents resulting in lower back injuries, including 17 spinal fractures.
The report recommended that Ilfracombe Sea Safari install shock sensors and implement safety management for changing conditions. The company, under new management for two years, said it has implemented all safety guidance, including sensor installation. A spokesperson stated: 'We operate to the highest standards and go above and beyond to ensure all our passengers and crew are safe.'
