Contact made by river cruiser Nottingham Princess with repair scaffolding on bridge
Location: Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England.
Accident Investigation Report 21/2003
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:
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Summary
On 15 November 2002, during an evening river cruise, the river cruiser Nottingham Princess collided with repair scaffolding around the centre arch of Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The river was high and flowing at about 5 to 7 knots. One serious injury and 34 minor injuries were reported among the 130 passengers and 9 crew on board. The vessel suffered mainly superficial damage.
Safety Issues
- loss of control of Nottingham Princess while transiting under the Trent Bridge because of the high level of the river, which caused a fast, confused flow through the centre arch, and scaffolding, which reduced the safe navigable width of the arch
Recommendations
Recommendations have been made to all inland waterways navigation authorities, that all river works should be designed and built to minimise risk to river users, and to promulgate information which may affect the safe navigation of their rivers. Further recommendations have been made to the MCA with respect to the identification, by risk assessment, of the level and type of lifesaving apparatus to be carried on vessels, and the completion of a formal risk assessment on the hazards which may imperil a vessel.
This report was published in August 2003.