Fatal motor boat accident at the Blue Lagoon

[Houdinibun]

Awful news

[memory man]

Vessel in speedboat tragedy was unlicensed and badly maintained

Police were continuing investigations on Wednesday into the circumstances under which a speed-boat crashed into the rocks off Latchi, Paphos, on Monday night, killing one Chinese woman and critically injuring three others.

Aboard the boat were the woman, 32, along with a Chinese couple and their two children, who were in Cyprus on holiday, and the boat’s operator.

Damage to the speed-boat, which was found on Tuesday some seven nautical miles from Latchi port, suggests it had been traveling at excessive speed too close to the shore, according to investigators.

Chief boat inspector at the Ministry of Communication and Works Kyriacos Kofteros told state radio that the damage to the boat’s bow, which was completely destroyed, suggested impact at high speed, and that the operator must have violated the rule mandating that boats must remain at least 100 metres away from the shore at all times.

“If the boat had kept the minimum distance of 100 metres from the shore, the operator would have had the opportunity to react,” Kofteros said.

“The result of the impact suggests that the minimum-distance precaution was not taken, and the boat may have reached speeds up to 40 knots, which is excessive.”

In fact, Kofteros added, at a distance of 100 metres from the shore the maximum speed allowed is three knots.

Police believe the three people injured in the crash, who are currently hospitalised and unable to communicate, will be able to shed light into the circumstances of the accident once their condition improves.

So far, investigators have identified two main possibilities, one involving malfunction to the boat’s engine, which has been deemed unlikely due to the estimated velocity on impact, and the other a possible health-related incident suffered by the operator.

The latter scenario, however, can only be pursued further once the operator’s condition improves.

The operator, 50-year-old Minas Ioannou, as well as a 37-year-old Chinese man and his 11-year-old daughter, were seriously injured, while the man’s wife and 10-year-old were only lightly injured.

Meanwhile, investigators have also found that the boat was not licensed and its condition had not been inspected by the relevant state agencies since it was registered in 2012, while the state of its exterior suggests a complete lack of maintenance.

Kofteros told state radio that there are many problems that must be addressed with regard to the market of leisure speed-boats, which operate as floating taxis, not least of which is the need to ensure that they are handled only by authorised personnel.

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/07/26/vesse ... aintained/

[geoffreys]

Vessel in speedboat tragedy was unlicensed and badly maintained

Police were continuing investigations on Wednesday into the circumstances under which a speed-boat crashed into the rocks off Latchi, Paphos, on Monday night, killing one Chinese woman and critically injuring three others.

Aboard the boat were the woman, 32, along with a Chinese couple and their two children, who were in Cyprus on holiday, and the boat’s operator.

Damage to the speed-boat, which was found on Tuesday some seven nautical miles from Latchi port, suggests it had been traveling at excessive speed too close to the shore, according to investigators.

Chief boat inspector at the Ministry of Communication and Works Kyriacos Kofteros told state radio that the damage to the boat’s bow, which was completely destroyed, suggested impact at high speed, and that the operator must have violated the rule mandating that boats must remain at least 100 metres away from the shore at all times.

“If the boat had kept the minimum distance of 100 metres from the shore, the operator would have had the opportunity to react,” Kofteros said.

“The result of the impact suggests that the minimum-distance precaution was not taken, and the boat may have reached speeds up to 40 knots, which is excessive.”

In fact, Kofteros added, at a distance of 100 metres from the shore the maximum speed allowed is three knots.

Police believe the three people injured in the crash, who are currently hospitalised and unable to communicate, will be able to shed light into the circumstances of the accident once their condition improves.

So far, investigators have identified two main possibilities, one involving malfunction to the boat’s engine, which has been deemed unlikely due to the estimated velocity on impact, and the other a possible health-related incident suffered by the operator.

The latter scenario, however, can only be pursued further once the operator’s condition improves.

The operator, 50-year-old Minas Ioannou, as well as a 37-year-old Chinese man and his 11-year-old daughter, were seriously injured, while the man’s wife and 10-year-old were only lightly injured.

Meanwhile, investigators have also found that the boat was not licensed and its condition had not been inspected by the relevant state agencies since it was registered in 2012, while the state of its exterior suggests a complete lack of maintenance.

Kofteros told state radio that there are many problems that must be addressed with regard to the market of leisure speed-boats, which operate as floating taxis, not least of which is the need to ensure that they are handled only by authorised personnel.

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/07/26/vesse ... aintained/

The boat was not licenced, was the operator?
He should hold a "speedboat operator licence" which is quite a high level qualification (I have one myself).
It is madness if any tourist is allowed to operate a speedboat or jetski without one - and if the boat's operator in this incident did not have one they should throw the book at him - it would surely be manslaughter.
Geoff.

[PaphosAL]

or personell who may have been in a Latchi bar all afternoon drinking their brains away, then deciciding to take one last tourist speedboat trip before sundown when inibriated, maybe?

[Jimgward]

At the end of the day, Tourism will be protected and no sanctions affecting tourism. Many people visit Latchi to hire boats. If they impose strict penalties, costs will ris accordingly and tourism will suffer. I’m not supporting that at all, but it’s what Cyprus does....

[geoffreys]

At the end of the day, Tourism will be protected and no sanctions affecting tourism. Many people visit Latchi to hire boats. If they impose strict penalties, costs will ris accordingly and tourism will suffer. I’m not supporting that at all, but it’s what Cyprus does....

i.e. profit from tourists before safety.
Very poor show IMO.
Geoff.

[Dominic]

The only flaw in that logic is that every accident will dent the appeal of the tourist attraction. It is more cost effective, in the long run, to be safer, surely?

[Sunseeker67]

Hi.

I have just registered on the forum for any updates on the accident. Along with many other families on holiday and on a boat trip to the blue lagoon me and my family witnessed the aftermath of the accident and I would say less than 2 minutes after the crash.

I am a small boat owner in the UK, with power boat handling certification and had a boat for many years.

As our boat lifted its anchor in the Blue Lagoon Bay I noticed this boat set off at speed and the bow high in the air. I said to myself "he must know these waters well" and he disappeared around the corner of the bay.

A minute or two later our boat was at the scene along with others.

I have to say the scene was horrific. I would rather not go into detail.

One English man was a hero that day helping the injured and controlling the events. He should get a hero's medal.

I guess and I state guess a few possibilities.

1. The steering cable snapped. Sometimes the obvious to kill the power doesn't always happen when in shock and the boat hit the rocks?

2. The skipper slipped from the wheel to the rear of the boat and as the bow was riding high he was unable to return to the controls?
The kill cord would of stopped the boat immediately if there had been one attached to him.

3. Had a passenger had a go at steering and lost control?

4. The skipper lost consciousness?

All said it does appear this could of been avoided even if No.4 possibility had taken place if a kill cord was attached.

Myself and family along with all who witnessed the aftermath of the incident unfold was deeply shocked.
It’s a terrible incident for all those injured aboard the boat. My heart goes out to them.

My guesses are a simple calculation of possibilities and of course I may be completely wrong on all accounts.

Tragic for the loss of the lady but I hope and pray the remaining casualties make a full recovery as soon as possible.

The picture is the boat about an hour before the incident. Excuse the grainy picture but my family was in the shot so I have zoomed in.

Boat in Cypruc Blue Lagoon.png (99.49 KiB) Viewed 8391 times

Our skipper was furious with the Maritime police. Contrary to reports as we headed back to port some 40 minutes after the distress call had been made the maritime police passed us and on to the crash area!!

Well done to all those involved that day.

[Jimgward]

I have hired boats from Latchi, twice or 3 times and from Paphos a couple of times. Latchi is cheaper and I was escorted out of the harbour once, but not other times. I have driven boats previously in Florida, but I have no certificates or much experience. I am rather cautious, so certainly would not have gone fast anywhere near danger. However, instruction given was minimal. The boats did have kill bracelets and radios. I was told roughly where to avoid and shown on a map.

[Sunseeker67]

Thanks for the photo I recognise that particular boat now from our trip there on Sunday! Hudswell it was a hire boat operated by the business owner NOT a private boat and in a poor state of repair despite having an (in my opinion) overly powerful engine for it's purpose of sightseeing as opposed to watersports!

Yes I saw a sticker on the boat "Boat For Hire"

[Dominic]

Thank you for your account, Sunseeker67. I hope the experience doesn't dampen the rest of your holiday. If you want any tips on fun places to visit, just ask on the forum.

[Kili01]

A terrible accident which should never have happened. Maybe the operator was showing off. Using high powered speedboats in a place like the Blue Lagoon should be forbidden, especially on a weekend where it is full of moored pleasure boats and swimmers.
The photo of the boat involved makes it look quite small, why on earth would anyone fit a 300bhp engine to it?
In the past my husband, who had passed all the local licenses and I owned a 15ft speedboat with a 115hp outboard engine. That was quite adiquate to push the boat along at 25+ knots. It could also pull 2 water skiers..

Dee

[Sunseeker67]

Thank you for your account, Sunseeker67. I hope the experience doesn't dampen the rest of your holiday. If you want any tips on fun places to visit, just ask on the forum.

Thanks Dominic but we arrived home early this morning.

[PaphosAL]

Maybe the purpose of a 300hp outboard engine on a small boat like this is simply to get from Latchi to Blue Lagoon and back as fast as possible, just to squeeze in a few more round trips each day, perhaps?

[George]

I think it is tragic for the lady that passed my deepest condolences , and I prey the rest get well soon. It is a sad time , in terms of the operator , I know him very well , he knows the waters very well , I would most probably say he knows the water in that area better then anyone who lives there , he is a well known fisherman if not the best , and he has been in the business for 20 years , he is as experienced as they come , I don't think saying what you have to about him without nobody even knowing the real story yet just isn't fair . He is hospitalized badly he didn't Want for this to happen . So my sympathy goes out to all people hurt and injured .

[George]

Sorry been in business 30 years .

[Sunseeker67]

I agree George with all you say. Accidents do happen and I pray he and the others make a full recovery.

A link to a report earlier in the forum does say the kill cord wasn't in place. I have been guilty of this on nearly every occasion when I fish. And when its calm I haven't worn a life jacket. Many if not all of my fellow and club members are guilty of the same on calm days. These two actions seemed to have played a part if true. Either way it has made me realise that even on such a calm day just how easily tragic accidents can occur and I for one will now always adopt the two as all boat users should regardless of the conditions.

I pray for his recovery, the father and daughter.

God bless them all

[PaphosAL]

Thank you for kind and friendly words to your friend, George. And for your condolensces to the people that he was conveying on a magical afternoon speed boat trip from Latchi harbour to the Blue Lagoon area, Akamas coast.

Very evocative this. As once upon a time, when I was 3 month long stay in KP, I brought my daughter and three grandchildren out for a week to stay with me. The Friday at Latchi was the highlight of our week. Out on the Princess ???? to Blue Lagoon. A parasurfer boat awaited us there, and my daughter bravely took off!

Meanwhile, my two grandsons were happily swimmimg around (after I'd nudged one overboard, when anchored) whilst I was still on board, taking care of young grandaughter (plus sipping my cool Keo and smoking my roll ups)...

On the trip back to Latchi, I was sitting on the bows, with my feet dangling into the water. Both sides, keeping up with our gentle pace, were flying fish, can you believe? Looking over to my right, I could see all the Akamas trails that I'd walked in previous weeks/months.

Our lunch back at the Latchi Village Tavern after we moored up was to die for! Best day out in my entire life!

Cheers- AL

[Steve Matthews]

George, I sincerely hope your friend makes a full and speedy recovery.
Do you know if his boat was licensed, registered and insured for this kind of use?

[Dominic]

I think it is tragic for the lady that passed my deepest condolences , and I prey the rest get well soon. It is a sad time , in terms of the operator , I know him very well , he knows the waters very well , I would most probably say he knows the water in that area better then anyone who lives there , he is a well known fisherman if not the best , and he has been in the business for 20 years , he is as experienced as they come , I don't think saying what you have to about him without nobody even knowing the real story yet just isn't fair . He is hospitalized badly he didn't Want for this to happen . So my sympathy goes out to all people hurt and injured .

Thank you for this comment. Until the facts are known people shouldn't speculate, though we inevitably do. If you removed speculation from a newspaper there would be little left in it. You have provided some balance though, and it is appreciated. Wishing your friend, and everybody else injured in this tragedy, a speedy recovery.