Report on capsize with pleasure boat Malmhella n the archipelago off Kragerø, Norway on 25 October 2022
Marine report 2023/04
A combination of high speed entering a turn and speed reduction, which led to a spinout and a subsequent capsize, was the main cause of the incident with the pleasure boat Malmhella. The capsize would probably not have occurred if the vessel had good stability characteristics.
The incident occurred when the pleasure boat had driven through a set zig-zag course and was about to begin a port turn. The speed was first reduced towards the turn, and when the turn had begun the speed was reduced once more.
The boat capsized and came to rest with the ship's bottom up with all aboard in the wheelhouse. These were rescued from the boat. Two were taken to hospital for treatment. The vessel was later salvaged.
High center of gravity and poor stability, in combination with heeling moment from mass and hydrodynamic forces resulted in the vessel capsizing.
The poor stability posed a safety issue for the vessel type Hydrolift X-27 SUV. Three out of a total of 16 boats produced have capsized. The manufacturer has subsequently temporarily ensured that existing vessels are not used, but the NSIA advises the manufacturer to implement measures that ensure good stability characteristics of the vessel type and the Norwegian Maritime Authority is advised to carry out an audit of the manufacturer.
The practice used by the manufacturer in the tests that were carried out for the original CE marking of the pleasure boat was, according to the NSIA's assessment, based on the wrong placement of people on board, and thus a wrong interpretation of the standard NS-EN ISO 12217-1:2017. This resulted in the prerequisites for CE marking not being present. The NSIA believes that if the tests had been carried out correctly, the result would have given a clear indication of the vessel's poor stability. This is a safety issue and the Norwegian Maritime Authority is advised to carry out more frequent checks in connection with the CE marking of pleasure boats sold in Norway.
The investigation has also shown that incorrect interpretation of NS-EN ISO 12217-1:2017, which is used as a basis for practical testing, contributes to the fact that stability can be fictitiously improved by using luggage weights that are placed under the boat's center of gravity as fixed ballast. The weights then become a prerequisite to satisfy the standard's stability requirements. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is advised to implement measures that ensure the correct testing of pleasure boats.
CE marking of pleasure boats is based on ISO standards, which for this group of boats are not suitable for assessing how dynamic stability conditions affect vessels with high speed potential such as the X-27 SUV. In addition, the standard is deficient as it does not set requirements for a comprehensive survey of static stability, especially in relation to requirements for residual stability in various loading conditions.
The Norwegian Safey Investigation Authority issuea total of five safety recommendations as a result of the investigation.
Published 29.06.2023
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/02T
On 25 October 2022, the pleasure craft Malmhella was carrying a group of course participants who were to take the practical part of the high-speed course when the craft capsized.
The poor stability was a contributing factor to the craft capsizing, and the investigation has shown that the craft did not meet the relevant requirements for CE marking. This represents a safety problem for this type of craft.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the manufacturer, Hydrolift AS, implement measures to ensure that the craft type X-27 SUV has good stability characteristics.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/03T
On 25 October 2022, the pleasure craft Malmhella was carrying a group of course participants who were to take the practical part of the high-speed course when the craft capsized.
The poor stability was a contributing factor to the craft of the type X-27 SUV capsizing, and the investigation has shown that the craft did not meet the relevant requirements for CE marking. This problem was not identified by the manufacturer's own quality control, and Hydrolift AS has not previously been audited by the supervisory authority. This represents a safety problem.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority carry out an audit of Hydrolift AS to ensure sufficient production control.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/04T
On 25 October 2022, the pleasure craft Malmhella was carrying a group of course participants who were to take the practical part of the high-speed course when the craft capsized.
The CE marking of the craft was based on the manufacturer’s internal control and documentation, which were inadequate. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority considers it a safety problem that manufacturers are not subject to frequent controls by the supervisory authority. In particular, this applies to audits of manufacturers that make use of internal control.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority increase the frequency of audits targeting manufacturers, with a particular focus on stability.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/05T
On 25 October 2022, the pleasure craft Malmhella was carrying a group of course participants who were to take the practical part of the high-speed course when the craft capsized.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority is of the opinion that the standard NS-EN ISO 12217-1:2017 was misinterpreted during the supplementary inclining test. This meant that luggage weights were placed in locations advantageous to stability. This makes it possible for manufacturers to fictitiously improve the stability by using permanent ballast. The luggage weights thus become a prerequisite for CE marking. Individual journeys without luggage weights could put the boat in a loading condition for which it has not been tested or approved.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority implement measures to ensure that recreational craft provided with CE marking have been correctly tested.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/06T
On 25 October 2022, the pleasure craft Malmhella was carrying a group of course participants who were to take the practical part of the high-speed course when the craft capsized.
The NSIA is of the opinion that poor stability was a contributing factor to the craft of the type X-27 SUV capsizing. Standard ISO 12217-1:2017, which forms the basis for the CE marking, is not well suited to assess the effect of dynamic stability factors on craft with potential speeds as high as the X-27 SUV. Moreover, the standard is inadequate because it does not require an overall mapping of static stability, particularly as regards requirements for residual stability under different load conditions.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority implement measures to ensure that the regulatory framework for CE marked recreational craft contain the requirements necessary to ensure good fundamental stability.
Facts
| Location | The archipelago off Kragerø |
| Occurrence date | 25.10.2022 |
| Accident category | Capsize |
| Area | Norwegian Territorial Waters |
| Name of vessel | Malmhella |
| Accident type | Capsize, Passenger accident, Occupational accident, Loss of stability |
| Vessel type | Misc. Ship |