Safety review into Cowes Harbour ongoing

The danger posed by commercial vessels to people sleeping on yachts in Cowes Harbour has been highlighted by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

The report into the sinking of the Contessa 32, Greylag by the Red Funnel-operated Red Falcon in October 2018 found that the ferry’s master had to rely totally on his instrumentation due to fog, and the lack of the bridge team’s practice in fog routine, resulted in the overcorrection of steering. Red

Falcon subsequently left the channel to port, after swinging through 220º and narrowly missing the Cowes Yacht Haven marina wall. It collided with Greylag, which was on a swinging mooring to the east of the Inner Fairway, sinking the unoccupied yacht, before the ferry grounded.

Cowes Harbour Master Capt. Stuart Mcintosh said a full review into risk assessments was carried out which resulted in introducing additional control measures such as new General Directions regulations for commercial vessels in limited visibility. Yachts have always been restricted to mooring outside of the Inner Fairway western limit, and a western Inner Fairway boundary line will now be shown on Admiralty Chart 2793.

Additional safety control measures were also introduced for yachts rafting in the Inner Harbour. At peak times Red Funnel will be notified when boats are rafted up to six deep and a light will be put on the outer most yacht. Winds of over 20 knots will also result in rafting restrictions.

Additional safety measures are now in place in Cowes Harbour to protect sailors who sleep onboard following the sinking of the Contessa 32 Greylag after it was in collision with Red Falcon