MAIB Safety Bulletin - Use of safety harness tethers on sailing yachts

Example of a tether hook and a tether hook after lateral loading © MAIB

This document, containing safety lessons, has been produced for marine safety purposes only, on the basis of information available to date. The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012 provide for the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents to make recommendations or to issue safety lessons at any time during the course of an investigation if, in his opinion, it is necessary or desirable to do so.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an investigation into the fatal man overboard accident on board the commercial sailing yacht CV30, which was taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The safety issue raised in this safety bulletin highlights just one of potentially several factors that contributed to this tragic accident.

The MAIB will publish a full report, including all identi ed contributing factors, on completion of the investigation. To read the initial documentation, please go here. Sail-World displayed Simon Spiers' actual clip in the article, The Golden Rules of the Hobart

Tether hook under deck cleat - photo © MAIB