Report on passenger boat finds litany of failures

A safety report into a passenger boat damaged after it “came off” a large wave off the Kerry coast has identified a litany of failures in the way it was being operated on the day in question.

The 33ft vessel,‘Flying Horse’ was carrying 14 passengers, including one child, and one crew member, when the incident happened on June 29, 2012.

According to a Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report, prior to departure a representative for the boat’s owner gave the passengers a short safety briefing, pointing out the location of the life jackets. However, no instructions were given as to how to don the life jackets.