Emily Lewis: Report makes safety calls after fatal speedboat crash

Emily Lewis was on a day out with her family when the crash happened

Safety regulations for high speed pleasure craft must be improved following a crash that killed a teenage passenger, investigators have said.

Emily Lewis died after a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) struck a metal buoy in Southampton Water in 2020.

Skipper Michael Lawrence, 55, was later convicted of failing to maintain a proper lookout and a safe speed.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report said the crash was an "accident waiting to happen".

The craft hit the channel marker at nearly 37 knots (43mph)

Fifteen-year-old Emily from Park Gate, Hampshire, was on a "high thrills" ride with her parents and sister on 22 August 2020 on board the RIB Seadogz.

The MAIB report found the RIB, carrying a total of 12 people, hit the 4.5m-high channel marker at nearly 37 knots (43mph).

"The skipper did not see the buoy in sufficient time to take avoiding action," it said.

"He had lost his positional awareness, most likely due to the high mental workload associated with operating at high-speed close to other marine assets."

Emily suffered fatal injuries when she was crushed against a metal handrail following the impact. She died later in hospital.

A number of other passengers were seriously injured.

The report found the craft's seats afforded little protection from the impact

The report said the thrill ride company's risk assessments were "cursory and generic" and the seating and handholds on board "afforded little protection" in the event of an impact.

The report said passengers in small high-speed craft are very vulnerable to impact and vibration injuries following such incidents.

It called on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), manufactures and operators to improve seating design and crash protection measures.

Capt Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents, said the Southampton Water crash would most likely not have happened if carried out in line with "industry good practice".

"There is no excuse for abandoning professional standards when undertaking a high-speed trip or experience ride," he said.

He said the MAIB had investigated "numerous accidents involving high-speed passenger craft" over the last 15 years, and made various recommendations to improve the safety of the sector.

"However, as yet, little has been done to provide proper protection to passengers and crew from these hazards that routinely result in life-changing injury and, occasionally, death.

"As the report says, this was an accident waiting to happen. Let it be the last," he added.

Michael Lawrence (left) and Michael Howley were both given 18-week suspended sentences

Lawrence was cleared of manslaughter following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Boat owner Michael Howley was found guilty by majority verdict of failing to operate the vessel safely.

They were both given 18-week suspended sentences.