A woman has suffered lifelong paralysis following an accident during a boat excursion off the Devon coast.
The incident occurred when the rigid inflatable boat Lundy Explorer encountered severe wave conditions shortly after departing Ilfracombe harbour.
According to a Marine Accident Investigation Board report, the tourist was occupying a forward-positioned seat when the vessel collided with an unexpectedly large wave.
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The impact ejected her from the seat, causing a spinal fracture that has left her permanently unable to walk.
The accident happened during what was intended as a routine sea safari experience in June 2023.
The investigation revealed that rapidly changing weather created unexpectedly rough conditions that the vessel's operator had not anticipated.
The MAIB report said: "Several operators, manufacturers and skippers were consulted during this investigation, and all acknowledged that the front seats of a RIB could present comfort issues, often referring to them as kamikaze or suicide seats."
The forward-mounted jockey seats expose occupants to extreme impact forces when vessels encounter waves, causing the person on the jockey seat to "strike their face heavily on the handhold in front of them".
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A woman has suffered lifelong paralysis following an accident during a boat excursion off the Devon coast
|MARINE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BRANCH
It added: "The dislodged passenger was wedged between the jockey seat pedestal and the RIB's sponsor, in a twisted position with her right leg over the seat.
"The deckhand attended to the dislodged passenger, who said that she could not feel her legs."
The report determined that the seating arrangement was inappropriate for solo use, particularly given the severe shock loads experienced at the boat's bow.
Investigators found that passengers received no guidance about seat usage during pre-departure briefings, leaving them unaware of potential dangers.
The report concluded that the boat was hit by three waves, which caused the bow of the boat to land on the water "with force, bringing the RIB to a sudden stop".
The incident occurred when the rigid inflatable boat Lundy Explorer encountered severe wave conditions shortly after departing Ilfracombe harbour
|GETTY
The victim's face collided heavily with a handhold, and she became trapped in a contorted position between the seat base and the boat's sponson.
The skipper attempted unsuccessfully to reach the company owner via mobile phone rather than alerting the coastguard through proper channels.
This communication failure potentially hindered the emergency response and prevented crews from receiving crucial guidance on managing a suspected spinal injury, investigators noted.
Emergency services were eventually summoned at 12.27pm when the victim's sister placed the call.
The accident happened during what was intended as a routine sea safari experience in June 2023
|GETTY
The woman was transported to Plymouth hospital via air ambulance after lifeboat crews and medical teams responded to the scene.
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents Andrew Moll said: "This dreadful accident highlights that even when operating at slow speeds in harbour areas, significant injuries can still occur on RIB rides when inappropriate seating arrangements are used.
"Despite being in good health and wearing appropriate safety equipment, she was dislodged from her seat and sustained a spinal injury that has resulted in permanent paralysis."
The MAIB has recorded 54 RIB-related accidents causing back injuries since 2001, with 17 resulting in spinal fractures.
A spokesman for Ilfracombe Sea Safari said: "It was two and a half years ago and [we are] now under new management since early 2024.
"We have implemented all the safety guidelines outlined in the report and more.
"We work to the highest standards and go above and beyond to ensure safety for all of our passengers and crew."