Clipper Ventures calls for independent inquiry into the MCA and MAIB
by Morgan Kasmarik 10 Aug 2019 09:00 BST
Simon Speirs was lost overboard while working forward and was caught by a wave, tragically his tether line hook distorted and released © Clipper Race
Following an investigation into the tragic death of Simon Speirs, Clipper Ventures has called on the Department for Transport to hold an independent inquiry to establish the full extent of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigatory teams' failure of professionalism, impartiality and honesty.
On the 18th November 2017, Simon Speirs, a 60 year old retired solicitor, fell overside whilst helping to reduce sail. The yacht, CV30, owned by Clipper Ventures, was participating in an around the world race and was experiencing increasing winds and sea state in the Southern Ocean. Mr Speirs was tethered to the boat but fell overside due to a freak failure of a tether safety clip. Mr Speirs was recovered but could not be resuscitated.
The accident was investigated by both the MCA and MAIB, and their conclusions are the cause of considerable concern.
At a meeting between Clipper Ventures and the new CEO of the MCA held on 25 July 2019, it was revealed that, after a new enquiry into the actions of the MCA Enforcement Official who had initiated and headed up a number of investigations concerning Clipper Ventures, multiple errors and distortions of the truth had been discovered, as follows:
- The MCA claimed there was a vessel within 60 miles of the yacht that could have taken the body home for burial. They have now admitted this was not true. The nearest vessel was 1500 miles away, or 5-6 days.
- It was an MCA Enforcement official who told Mrs Speirs of this non-existent nearby vessel.
- The MCA admitted that Clipper Ventures had advised the Department for Transport and the MCA prior to holding a burial at sea, but their official did not respond.
- The MCA have admitted that in the circumstances Clipper Ventures were right to hold the burial at sea.
The MAIB report issued 20 June 2019 contained a number of errors, including stating Clipper Ventures had not carried out any of their recommendations, which is inaccurate. All recommendations in the report had been implemented, except for the inspection by the MCA which was due to the MCA's lack of resources. Clipper Ventures, therefore made the decision to have its systems assessed, and approved, by two independent auditors.
The freak failure of the safety tether on the 18th November 2017 is being examined by the sailing industry. The MAIB report acknowledged Clipper Ventures' investigation into safety tethers (which was carried out with the MAIB onboard), and its introduction of a double tether system exceed industry standards. However, the industry learnings have been diluted by a number of factual errors in the MAIB report.
The MCA and MAIB investigations followed remarkably parallel courses and it has to be suspected that significant and improper influence was applied to the MAIB investigation by the MCA team. Clipper Ventures has often complained of lack of impartiality at the MAIB, a belief now held more strongly than ever. The safety of its crew is the highest priority for Clipper Ventures and has been since the race was established in 1996.
Click here for the original Clipper Ventures Statement in reaction to the MAIB report issued 20 June 2019.