“POOR DECISIONS” led to a boat capsizing and the loss of one man’s life off the west Cork coast 18 months ago, according to the official inquiry just published.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the capsizing of the McLinghioff Coney island, Co Cork, on December 5th, 2008, has found none of the passengers on board wore lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs), which had been offered by the skipper. It notes this is contrary to the Pleasure Craft Regulations 2005.
One of the nine passengers, Alain Adler, drowned after the vessel owned by Michael McGill capsized. The group had flown to Cork from Geneva, Switzerland, via Dublin, and set off on the 1km trip to Coney island from Schull shortly after midnight in total darkness.
The report notes while it was windy, some of the party and the skipper believed it was “okay to travel”. The Met Éireann forecast was for west-southwest winds of force eight, gusting to force 10, with a swell of nine metres (29ft) .
On the approach to Coney island, the Johnson 30 HP outboard engine stalled and stopped. Some of the crew started rowing, but the boat continued drifting away from the island’s shelter.
The engine was changed for a smaller Yamaha, which proved difficult to start. By the time the engine was functioning, the wind was stronger and the boat was unable to make headway. It continued to drift to Long island, close to Coney. As the boat turned to try and head for Long island pier, it was swamped by building seas and overturned.
The skipper and passengers swam back to the boat and hung on to it for support. Two of the group had to be helped back by the others, and Mr Adler drifted away again unnoticed, the report notes.
One member managed to reach Long island pier and raised the alarm. The rest drifted onto the beach at Long island and broke into a holiday home, where they were able to use blankets and heaters.
The RNLI Baltimore lifeboat and Schull inshore lifeboat were tasked and brought the group to Schull pier, from where they were taken by ambulance to Bantry General Hospital. Mr Adler’s body was recovered at Long island by the inshore lifeboat.
The report is critical of the decision not to wear lifejackets, even though several members were familiar with boats and “the dangers of the sea”. It notes there were no flares or VHF radio – although they may not have affected the outcome, given the rapidity of the capsize.
It notes the vessel could have been “poled” ashore from where the engine stopped, or anchored immediately, but the decision to turn was critical – as it was then swamped. It says there is no evidence it was overloaded.
In a separate report published yesterday by the MCIB, the investigators could find "no direct cause" for the deaths of Francis and Daniel McDaid after their fishing vessel, Strath Marie, sank off Inishowen Head, Co Donegal, on March 14th, 2008. The vessel had left Bunagee pier, Culdaff, Co Donegal, at 8.45am to lift pots, and the reports were for slight to moderate sea state with a south to southwest wind, force three to four.
The alert was raised shortly after 5pm that evening when the vessel was overdue. Both men were located within several hours by the rescue services and brought to Altnagelvin Hospital, Co Derry. Both were later pronounced dead.
The Strath Mariedid not carry a liferaft, and its emergency-position-indicating radio beacon did not activate and was not recovered. A report from the rescue services indicates neither of the two men was wearing approved lifejackets. It says that "whatever caused the sinking" of the vessel must have occurred "suddenly and without warning".