Two Injured in Lifeboat Drill Accident Aboard RRS Sir David Attenborough

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into a lifeboat drill accident on board the new polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough that left two crew members with minor injuries.

The incident in question occurred on March 5, 2021 as the research vessel was in Loch Bule, Scotland. The MAIB says crew members sustained injuries while inside a lifeboat that rolled onto its side then fell overboard during a launching drill.

The British Antarctic Survey confirmed additional details of the incident in a statement reported by the BBC.

“We can confirm that on Thursday 4 March a lifeboat failed to deploy correctly during testing.

“Two people sustained minor injuries.

“An independent investigation is in progress. To protect patient confidentiality British Antarctic Survey does not disclose personal information,” the BAS statement said.

The newly-built RRS Sir David Attenborough left Liverpool, England for sea trials in early November ahead of its ahead of its maiden voyage to Antarctica later this year.