Clipper organisers want new inquiry
Clipper Ventures, which runs the Clipper Race, is calling on the government to hold an inquiry into the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
It follows the publication of the MAIB report into the death of Simon Speirs, who died on Leg 3 of the 2017-18 edition after his tether hook failed when he went overboard the Clipper 70, CV30. The Department of Transport told YM it was confident that the MCA and MAIB’S findings were ‘independent and thorough.’
Clipper Ventures wants the inquiry after it highlighted some inaccuracies in the MAIB report, including the statement that Clipper hadn’t implemented any of the MAIB’S recommendations relating to previous incidents. Clipper said following Mr Speirs’ death, a paid, professionally qualified ‘Additional Qualified Person’ was introduced to aid each race skipper, and have been recruited for the 2019-20 edition, which starts in September. It is also installing navigation plotters at the helming position and introducing new passage -planning procedures for 2019-20.
The MAIB said it had carried out four ‘independent and thorough’ investigations into ‘very serious accidents’ including three fatalities during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 Clipper Races, with the sole purpose to improve safety, and it stood by its findings. It said it had yet to hear from Clipper Venues that it had implemented its recommendations.