Vision - Collision with an anchored yacht off Cannes
A high-speed pass in a crowded anchorage cost a life.
What happened.
On the evening of 25 May 2019 the motor yacht Vision attempted a fast, close pass of the anchored motor yacht Minx off Île Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes. Vision struck Minx's bow, killing a crewman standing on Minx's foredeck. Vision was travelling at more than six times the anchorage's 5-knot limit, and her skipper had used cannabis, impairing his judgement.
On the evening of 25 May 2019 the Gibraltar-registered motor yacht Vision was leaving the anchorage off Île Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes. At her charterer's request, the skipper attempted a fast, close pass of the anchored motor yacht Minx so guests could wave goodbye. Vision was making more than 30 knots — over six times the anchorage's 5-knot limit — when she struck Minx, killing a crewman standing on Minx's foredeck. The MAIB found the skipper had underestimated the risk and had consumed cannabis, likely impairing his judgement; Vision's surface-drive propulsion was demanding and left no margin for error. A safety recommendation went to the RYA and the Professional Yachting Association to spread the lessons to operators of commercial motor yachts.
What it teaches.
- 1Respect anchorage speed limits. Vision was doing over 30 knots where 5 applied; high speed near anchored boats leaves no margin for misjudgement.
- 2Never operate a vessel under the influence. Recreational drugs impair judgement and reaction time, even in habitual users.
- 3You are still exposed at anchor. Stay alert to passing traffic, and remember crew working on deck are vulnerable to a strike.
- 4Match the manoeuvre to the boat. Vision's surface-drive propulsion was demanding and left no room for error in a fast, close pass.
Where this comes from.
SeaWise indexes and links to primary sources; it does not host their reports or media. Crew are referred to by role unless documented consent is on file.
Procedures involved.
More like this.
Share your story.
SeaWise records are richer when survivors and crewmates contribute what they remember. Submissions are private by default — your name and contact never appear on the public record.
Submit a story