A female tourist was paralyzed after sitting on a “kamikez” seat on an inflatable boat when it was Got in an upcoming wave,
Rib Ludi Explorer left Ilfrekombay Harbor North devon For a sea safari trip in June 2023.
A maritime accident inquiry board investigation said that it faced This port left as high waveDue to which it was slam in another upcoming wave.
According to the report, the 28 -year -old injured passenger was sitting on a jockey seat in front of the boat, where the most shock load was experienced.
The shock of the wave separated him from his seat, resulting in a fracture of his spinal cord and permanent fracture ParalysisThis couple.
The MAIB report found that the local weather conditions had deteriorated quickly, resulting in an increase in the heights of the tempering sea and wave.
It was also noted that the position of the jockey seats was unsuitable for single occupants as they exposed the passengers for high shock load.
The pre-department safety briefing did not include the use of seats and passengers were unaware of the risks.
Many operators, manufacturers and skipers were consulted during the MAIB examination, and all admitted that the front seats of a rib could introduce comfort issues, often refer to them as “Kamikes” or “Suicide” seats.
The report stated that Ludi Explorer was hit by three high waves, bringing it to the stop due to “all the passengers thrown forward” and a passenger “hit his face in front of him,” the report said.
After the wave was a hit, two passengers raised their arms to inform the captain that there was a problem and a passenger had fallen.
The passenger was “dedicated” in a “twisted position” with her right leg on the seat and said that she could not feel her legs.
The boat was turned around after the accident and the skipper tried to call the owner of the company by mobile phone, but no response was received.
However, Costguard was also not contacted via radio, with “an emergency response may be delayed and a suspected spinal medical advice can be prevented,” the report states.
The injured passenger was taken to ashes, while his sister called the ambulance at 12.27 am.
At the scene, someone alerted a member of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), who sent a casualty to the Care team.
The woman was then rushed to the hospital in Plymouth.
Hospital advisor neurosurgeon advised that the injury was in the moment of effect and had no pre -existing conditions that contributed to the injury.
Andrew Mol, the chief inspector of marine accidents, said: “This terrible accident throws light on the fact that whenever the port is working slowly in the areas, significant injuries can still occur on the rib ride when improper seating arrangements are used.
“Despite being in good health and wearing suitable safety equipment, she was disorganized from her seat and caused a spinal cord injury, resulting in permanent paralysis.”
He recommended ILFRCOMBE SEA Safari Ltd to implement a security management system and urged other operators to take action.
The MAIB report stated that 54 accidents have been reported during the rib ride since 2001, resulting in low back injuries, 17 of which caused spinal fractures.
