Red funnel’s Red Falcon linking the Isle of Wight to Southampton crashed into the city quayside on 10 March 2006. An investigation into the crash which injured 11 people, has revealed the ferry was travelling too fast due to crew errors.
The accident report said an officer who thought he was reducing speed, had not been informed of changes to propulsion units, meaning the speed remained.
Some of the 65 vehicles onboard the ferry were damaged in the incident.
The Marine Accident Investigation Bureau (MAIB) report was designed to show whether lessons could be learnt from an inquiry.
The Red Falcon was carrying 130 passengers when it approached the dockside ramp at a greater than normal speed.
The MAIB said the Red Falcon had been late leaving East Cowes for Southampton.
A seaman on the ferry had hoped to make up the five minute delay by desynchronising the propulsion units driven by the engines but had not informed the chief officer, who then took over control of the ferry.
The MAIB report said both the Red Funnel Group and Southampton Harbour Authority have taken steps to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
© BBC News www.bbc.co.uk
The MAIB’s report on the investigation of Red Falcon’s contact with the linkspan at Town Quay, Southampton on 10 March 2006, was published today on 3rd October 2006
www.maib.dft.gov.uk/latest_news/red_falcon_report_published.cfmÂ
This article has been read 85 times!
