ALBATROSS

On 22 August 2004  a passenger was fatally injured on board the sailing vessel Albatross.  The passenger had expressed a wish to climb the mast, the Captain of the vessel agreed to this on the understanding that the passenger was to wear an approved safety harness and that he should receive safety instructions.

The passenger climbed the mast’s ratlines wearing a restraint belt and life line but not the safety harness as instructed.  About 8 metres up the masts ratlines the passenger fell backwards and plummeted to the port gunwale before falling overboard.  Two deckhands attempted to rescue the casualty by diving overboard leaving the Captain as the only crew member on board the vessel.  The casualty was recovered but was pronounced dead on arrival at the local hospital.

Maritime Services (International) were retained by the deceased widow to provide Expert Testimony about safe operational practice for climbing the rigging of such a vessel as part of a County Court action against the Captain of the vessel.