Marine Safety Authority Launches Investigation into Brandywine
A comprehensive investigation is underway following the partial sinking of the MV Mojaito off Brandywine Bay, after hitting a steel buoy. All ten passengers were rescued safely, with no injuries reported.
The British Virgin Islands Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) has initiated a thorough investigation into a marine accident involving the MV Mojaito, which occurred approximately 0.4 nautical miles south of the Brandywine Bay entrance. The incident took place as the vessel was returning to Village Cay, Tortola, from the 'Xmas in July' event on Virgin Gorda.
Chief Marine Safety Accident Investigator, Mr. Jerome Padmore, disclosed in a recent Government Information Service (GIS) release that the vessel encountered a green steel lateral buoy, resulting in structural damage and partial submersion. Fortunately, nearby boaters were quick to respond, rescuing all ten individuals aboard without any injuries.
Padmore emphasized that the ongoing investigation aims to dissect the events leading up to the incident, scrutinizing systems, procedures, and human factors involved. The primary objective of such investigations, according to Padmore, is to bolster maritime safety and avert similar future incidents.
He reassured the public that a comprehensive report would be shared upon the investigation's conclusion, underscoring the MSIRA's commitment to transparency and safety improvement efforts. The MSIRA, operating under the Office of the Premier and adhering to the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020, alongside the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, is tasked with the independent investigation of marine accidents within the Virgin Islands' waters.
These investigations are pivotal in identifying safety issues and recommending measures to prevent recurrence, without aiming to apportion blame or establish liability. Padmore has issued a reminder to the public about the legal obligation to report all marine accidents to the MSIRA.
This enables the authority to take necessary actions to enhance maritime safety and ensure the welfare of all sea-goers in the Virgin Islands. The community is eagerly awaiting the findings of the investigation, hopeful that it will lead to improved safety standards and practices in the maritime domain.