Twelve tourists were "tipped" from a boat into the largest of the Killarney lakes last September in an incident that "posed the threat of death or serious injuries", a report has found.
The incident took place during what were “green sea” weather conditions, with waves of “significant height” breaking on the deck, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board report states.
Water was up to passengers’ ankles before the boatmaster began turning the boat, and no alarm was raised, the report finds. Despite a lack of serious injuries, this “was a serious marine casualty”, it says.
The master, who is not named, did not hold the required Department of Transport commercial endorsement to act as master of a passenger boat at the time, the report states.
The incident took place on Lough Leane shortly after the 8.2m traditional Irish clinker-built timber vessel set out from Ross Castle towards the Gap of Dunloe.
About 12 minutes out, passengers on the Mary Ann were told to cover themselves with tarpaulins to protect them against spray. The vessel continued across the lake "shipping copious amounts of water as if someone was throwing buckets of cold water", passengers were quoted as saying.
Engine cut out
At 11.20am the master decided to turn around, and as the vessel slowed down the water was above the ankles of those in the stern. As the boat turned it was “hit broadside” by waves, causing the engine to cut.
The boat did not sink, and on the advice of the master most of the passengers, now tipped into the water, clung to the sides of the submerged vessel.
All aboard were wearing life jackets and were rescued by three other vessels and there were no serious injuries.
The report says the “combination” of the prevailing lake conditions, the large amount of water already in the vessel, its speed and turning manoeuvre all contributed to the boat becoming swamped. Winds at the time of the incident were force four to five .
No freak wave
In a response contained in the report, the boat owner said the master is a third- or fourth-generation Killarney boatman and has since obtained his passenger boat certificate.
Under the terms of its passenger boat licence, the boat should operate only in favourable weather, not in the green sea conditions, the report states.The report rejects the assertions by the master that there was a “rogue” or “freak” wave on the day and this was the cause of the swamping.
The board sounds warnings about the attempts to call in assistance during the incident itself,and warns of the need for more than mobile phones, which are relied upon by boatmen on the Killarney lakes.
“No attempt was made to send a Mayday call or call for the assistance of the emergency services. In an emergency situation it is prudent practice to request assistance by all possible means,” the report said. It was other boats, either passing or spotting what was taking place, “ which effected the rescue”.
The board recommends that Met Éireann cover all large inland lakes in its forecasts, and that the Irish Coast Guard should also extend its current lakes VHF radio coverage to include lakes such as this.