Issue date
A recent spate of accidents and near misses has highlighted the need for all RIB drivers to use a kill cord when out on the water.
In two separate incidents that could have been avoided if the operator had been wearing a kill cord, a young sailor was injured and a RIB also needed to be brought under control when someone fell out of the boat.
These incidents are timely reminders that accidents happen and RIB drivers need to understand the dangers of operating a power boat and importance of keeping everyone safe.
The engine automatically cuts out when the key, which should be connected to a kill cord, is removed.
Not only is wearing a kill cord best practice, but it also saves lives.
A 10-year-old Optimist green fleet sailor was killed in the United States in 2020 during a training session when he was struck by a RIB and an international coach was also injured when he was struck by his own boat after falling overboard during the 2019 Hyundai 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 world championships in Auckland. He wasn't using a kill cord.
