Sailing boat safety upgrade urged following Cork tragedy

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has issued several safety recommendations in relation to a popular traditional sailing boat following a fatal capsizing incident off Cork.

The MCIB has recommended that the makers of the Drascombe Lugger-type vessel — an undecked open day boat — investigate the retrofitting of a system to keep the vessel’s centre-plate deployed in the event of a capsize.

The centre-plate, a large piece of metal which hangs from the hull, provides the major ballast to the boat but relies on gravity to keep it in position.