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Accident Involving RS Venture Connect

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Published 15:30 on 5 Jul 2019

The RYA have published a notice relating to the capsize of an RS Venture Connect sailing boat on Windermere on 13 June which resulted in the death of one of the crew. All dinghy sailors are urged to read the RYA Notice and, perhaps, the fully illustrated MAIB Safety Bulletin and reflect carefully on this tragic accident and on the lessons learned.

The hazards associated with invertion highlights the importance of masthead buoyancy. The challenge of righting an inverted boat and providing access to trapped crew is self evident and is not helped if the centre board has retracted. Never assume the crew of a capsized boat is OK; always check as saving life is always the priority. Time is critical. Do you carry a knife, do you practise capsize drills, do you use masthead buoyancy, do you work as a team, does your centre board fully retract, are you aware of what is happening around you, are you monitoring changing weather conditions, do you sail in company?.......the list goes on, but do take care and stay safe.

The RS Venture owned by Seafarers is not the same model as the one involved in this incident. The keel of the Connect version is completely different to our centreboard configuration and it was the keel that appears to have been the major causal factor in this accident. Our boat is safe and ready to use. However, it is considered valuable for all to share these reports for a little reflection.

Last updated 17:03 on 25 February 2024

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