Marine Accident Investigation BranchA student suffered an injury after falling out of a powerboat and being hit by a propeller during a yacht training course in Fife, an investigation has found.
On June 29, 2023, a student was taking part in a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) powerboat level 2 (PB2) training course at St Andrews Sailing Club.
The student fell out of the boat and was struck by the vessel’s propeller, resulting in injury.
The severity of the injury is unknown at this stage.
A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report released on Friday found that the student had been attempting a man overboard exercise when he fell overboard.
As the inflatable powerboat started to turn it tilted away from three students on the port side and the student fell out of the boat because they were unable to reach a “suitable handhold” with which to steady themselves.
The MAIB made a recommendation to the Maritime and Coastguard agency highlighting the need for adequate handholds for occupants, and directed the sailing club to engage with an RYA powerboat trainer to deliver one day of continuing professional development to all the club’s instructors.
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