Isle of May Boat Trips Ltd has been fined £12,000 at Dundee Sheriff Court after a passenger in a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) suffered life-changing injuries during a collision.
During the incident, which took place in July 2016 at the Firth of Forth, two RHIBs operated by the company collided while performing a synchronised manoeuvre.
An investigation by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found failings in the risk assessment and passage planning and noted that the manoeuvre 'had not been effectively communicated to the passengers during the pre-sail briefing'.
The company plead guilty to breaching section 100 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, relating to the unsafe operation of a vessel.
Neil Cunningham, head of the regulatory compliance investigations team at the MCA, said: 'This collision was avoidable and sadly led to a passenger suffering life-changing injuries. Owners and operators of vessels intending to include an exhilarating element to their trips are reminded to follow the available advice and guidance at all times, such as can be found in the High Speed Passenger Vessel (HSPV) Voluntary Code of Practice.'
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