INVESTIGATION

CASE 25
The Lessons
1. Bow thrusters are becoming increasingly
common on production yachts, sail and
power, and are often located in areas of
the interior that are difficult to access. It is
worth remembering that they constitute a
powerful piece of machinery and that the
spaces they occupy need to be treated with
respect. Figure 1 shows a typical bow
thruster and dedicated battery installation
on a similar yacht; in this case under a
double berth in the forward cabin. Note
that it is separated from the sail that is
stowed in the adjacent compartment.
2. The yacht involved in this accident was
approved for commercial use under the
MCA’s Small Commercial Vessel and
Pilot Boat Code of Practice (MGN
280). At the time of the accident there
were no paying customers on board, but
stowage of the petrol can in the sail locker
contravened the Code, specifically:
“7.7.1 When spare petrol is carried on-board
in portable containers, for any purpose, the
quantity should be kept to a minimum, the
containers should be clearly marked and
should normally be stowed on the weather
deck where they can readily be jettisoned and
where spillage will drain directly overboard.”
Where this is not possible the Code goes
on to say that petrol can be stored in a
compartment that is:
• vapour tight to the vessel’s interior;
• not openable from the vessel’s interior;
and
• adequately drained overboard and
ventilated to atmosphere. (7.6.1.1 of
the Code).
MAIB Safety Digest 1/2017
59