High speed, abrupt manoeuvres and inexperience at the helm contributed to a near-fatal speedboat roll-over shortly before the 21st annual Leverick Bay Poker Run in May, according to the first published investigation by the territory’s new marine safety authority.
At the time of the incident, the St. John-based Andato — a 39-foot centre console with four outboard engines packing a total of 1,800 horsepower — was speeding from the Bitter End Yacht Club to Leverick Bay at 40-50 knots, the investigators found.
Shortly before 11 a.m., the vessel made a sudden left turn and lost its stability, rolling over on its right side and ejecting the captain and three passengers, according to a 23-page report released last month by the Virgin Islands Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority.
Two other passengers remained on the deck as the boat overturned and were temporarily trapped underneath.
“All persons onboard sustained different levels of injuries, with one individual hospitalised in critical condition,” the report stated. “At the time of the incident, no one was wearing life jackets, and the engine kill cord was not in use.”
One passenger, who almost drowned, experienced breathing problems from water in the lungs, and other injuries included a broken pelvis and hand, cuts and scrapes, and head injuries, according to the investigators.
“Other injured passengers who were unable to swim at the time were also at risk of drowning,” the report stated. “The efforts of nearby boats significantly contributed to the survival of everyone on board.”
The damaged boat was quickly salvaged by Husky Salvage & Towing and brought to the Nanny Cay boatyard for examination.
Causes of the wreck
Factors contributing to the wreck were found to include abrupt manoeuvres at a high speed and the shape of the vessel’s high-performance hull, which is designed to create air pockets and ride faster on the water’s surface.
“The stepped-hull design reduces stability and control during sharp high-speed turns,” the report stated.
The investigators also found that there were no enforceable speed limits within the marina area and that the captain lacked training in handling a high-performance craft.
The report didn’t name the captain, but it stated that they hold several United States Coast Guard certifications, including a USCG Master 100 Tons Licence, and typically operate the Andato within the St. John charter company Top Notch Charters.
On the day of the roll-over, however, the vessel was on a non-commercial voyage, according to the report.
The Top Notch Charters website lists Sam Ferrigno as the vessel’s usual captain, but Mr. Ferrigno did not respond to the Beacon’s request for comment.
Recommendations
The MSIRA report also included recommendations designed to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
For the BVI Ports Authority, the agency recommended implementing speed limits and navigation safety signage within North Sound and other unregulated high-traffic marina areas in the territory.
Also included were recommendations for the VI Shipping and Maritime Authority, which was urged to consider requiring lifejackets for occupants aboard small vessels operating at planing speeds.
The authority was also advised to implement competency requirements for captains of high-performance speedboats.
“This includes training in high-speed manoeuvring, kill-cord discipline, and passenger management,” the report stated.
The agency
The MSIRA, a recently operationalised department within the Premier’s Office, conducts independent investigations into marine accidents and other incidents in VI waters.
Jerome Padmore, who was announced in February as the agency’s chief marine safety accident investigator, said the incident report was designed to identify safety solutions.
“This report is not about blame, but about learning and improving,” he said in a statement when the report was released on Sept. 30. “By understanding what went wrong, we can take steps to prevent similar accidents and strengthen maritime safety across the Virgin Islands.”
He added that the report — the first of its kind by the agency — was also designed to emphasise the importance of proper safety procedures while identifying areas for improvement within laws, enforcement and industry practices.
The MSIRA stated that it will continue to release such reports “in the interest of transparency, education, and the continuous improvement of maritime safety standards within the territory.”
Mr. Contreras reported this story from New York.
