MAIB Report: Drink and lack of lights = Fatal Collisions!

A serious marine casualty occurred on 27 July 2024 in Göcek, Turkey. The tender to the motor yacht Isabell Princess of the Sea was travelling south inside the inner harbour at about 28 kts when it collided with the drifting RIB ‘Vega’. The tender rode up over Vega’s port quarter, ejecting the coxswain and trapping the passenger beneath the tender. Despite rapid assistance and first aid, the passenger was later declared deceased. The investigation was conducted by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch on behalf of the Gibraltar Office of the Marine Accident Investigation Compliance Officer. Access to witnesses and evidence was restricted due to a parallel judicial investigation.

Earlier that evening, the owner’s representative and the yacht’s master used the tender to visit a coastal restaurant. The tender accelerated from 8 kts to about 28 kts within the inner harbour, where local speed limits of 10 kts and 6 kts in adjacent bays had been issued three days prior. Vega was adrift with sidelights off and a single all round white light showing. A nearby gulet shone a bright light to draw attention shortly before impact. The tender struck Vega at about 27 kts. The postmortem recorded fatal injuries combined with drowning. A breath test reportedly taken five hours after the accident indicated the owner’s representative exceeded the alcohol limit prescribed by Gibraltar regulations and reflected in the company drug and alcohol policy.

The collision occurred because Vega was not detected in time to avoid impact. Night vision adaptation, background lighting, lack of passage planning and speed above local limits reduced detection time and margin for avoidance. Alcohol might have impaired judgement. The master’s overriding authority was undermined by unclear definitions of the owner’s representative’s role within the safety management system. Vega’s decision to drift in a transiting area without sidelights increased risk, although the coxswain’s movement forward likely prevented serious injury.

Göcek Port Authority announced inspections to ensure compliant navigation lights. Fraser updated its safety management system for night tender use. IFZA amended letters of authority to clarify master’s responsibility and authority. No recommendations were issued.

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