Y.CO can confirm that an incident occurred onboard motor yacht KIBO (82m, Abeking & Rasmussen) in Palma, Mallorca, at approximately 1130 local time on Sunday 3 May, resulting in a serious crew casualty. The crew member fell into the water whilst carrying out routine maintenance work outboard. He was recovered from the water by on-board divers and given CPR by the crew before being transported to a nearby hospital to receive emergency treatment. Once the crew member’s condition was considered stable enough by his doctors he was transferred by air ambulance under observation to a leading UK medical facility on 13 May where he continues to receive ongoing medical care and treatment for his injuries.
The Y.CO Emergency Response team was notified of the incident at 1140 CET on Sunday 3 May and was immediately mobilised. A line of communication was opened between a senior Y.CO DPA (Designated Person Ashore) and the vessel. Immediate focus was to establish the status of the incident and procedures were followed to co-ordinate with the local authorities, the local agent, Flag State, the vessel’s insurers, the Owners and the crew member’s next of kin. A senior DPA, the Director of Yacht Management and the Senior Compliance Officer were all deployed from Y.CO Headquarters to provide local assistance, support and guidance to the family of the crew member, the vessel and its crew. The Y.CO Media Response team also dealt with local press and media as necessary. The Cayman Islands Flag State is now conducting a full inquiry into the incident, and a Cayman Islands surveyor has been appointed to the case. Y.CO is offering comprehensive assistance and support whilst a full report is being compiled.
Y.CO continues to provide post-incident support to all parties, and is working closely with the vessel’s insurers and Owners to coordinate the full coverage of immediate and ongoing medical expenses to the crew member involved, and financial assistance to enable his family to remain by his side.
In light of the incident and taking into account a number of resulting consequences, both official and emotional, and the personal impact on each crew member onboard, it was felt that an extended period of leave was advisable for some of the crew who were directly involved with the incident. Y.CO has taken steps to provide highly qualified relief cover for the vessel’s Captain, 1st Officer and 3rd Officer, who will remain shoreside for the immediate future and whilst the Flag State investigation is ongoing.
Gary Wright, Co-Founder and Chairman of Y.CO, said: “We are deeply saddened by this incident. As the yacht’s managers we are offering our full support to the crew member’s family, whom I have met with personally. Out of respect for all those involved, including the Owner and those crew aboard the vessel, we ask the media and the industry not to draw conclusions or to speculate until the investigation is complete. This incident is a harsh reminder of the dangers that all mariners face daily and why our focus remains on promoting and prioritising safety onboard the vessels we work with.
At this difficult time our thoughts remain with the crew member and his family.” |
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