A shifting paradigm
The immediate reaction from fellow members was one of shock and sympathy. We were able to offer those involved psychological support, through BSAC and through the Coastguard. For our club, it has resulted in a new set of policies and procedures for RIB recovery, and another step up in our safety standards.
Waves usually come in sets, and we were behind a breakwater, so we should have been okay. However, the sea state was extremely confused, the wind had probably changed direction and it was a 1.5 metre sea, possible with some 2m swells. But again, the lesson is not to be in a place where you can get hurt.
Our default recovery technique had been to get the RIB straight onto the trailer, and in most reasonable conditions with a breakwater that could be done safely. However, in marginal conditions, you risk damaging the boat and the people. In fact, it’ s no more bother to run the boat onto the beach gently and pull it out, then winch it onto the trailer on dry land where there’ s no risk of any interaction between the boat, the trailer and the divers.
As a result, our default position has switched from trailer recovery to beach recovery, and we now have a set of procedures that cover everything from flat water through to the more extreme scenario, where we opt to run to the nearest port.
“ Our default position has switched from trailer recovery to beach recovery”
Nick returns to the scene of the incident, a month after surgery
Taking stock
We have now written up our policies and procedures in light of the incident. We use several local boats including our own two, and we’ ve agreed that everyone should use the same system. The two privately-owned boat owners also helped with the process; they’ re some of the most experienced RIB drivers we have. I understand that BSAC’ s Boat Handling Skill Development Course for boat handling is being reviewed, and our experience has been fed into that process.
As for me I’ m fine now, at least in terms of the load-bearing ability of the leg. I could even have( theoretically) carried cylinders the day after the operation, but it would have hurt like hell because the soft tissue was so damaged.
Just after I got out of hospital, probably three weeks after the incident, I returned to the beach on my mother’ s all-terrain mobility scooter to
express my thanks the RNLI, the guys on the tractor and everyone who helped. I also had to return all the rugs they’ d given me, because at the time I was freezing cold.
The question has been asked whether we should have gone out that day. It’ s a fair point, but the truth is it was a clean launch and we had carefully assessed the sea state. It was bumpy, especially when the RIB stopped, but all the divers on the boat were experienced and everyone was happy to do it. If I were in the same situation tomorrow, I would happily launch and dive in those conditions, but in the knowledge our boat recovery protocols have been refined. And we now have the new golden rule: to stay clear of the Red Zone. �
BSAC reminds our members to continue submitting incident data so that we can continue to support safety improvements and feedback into safety training. You can find the reporting page on BSAC. com under‘ safety’.
Nick is pictured, second from right, after a return to diving in mid-May. With him are fellow members( l-r) Leigh Reeves, Roger Smith, Paul Whistler and John Midley. The boat in the background is Anglian Diver, the one that hit Nick
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