Emily Lewis inquest: Skipper had '14 seconds' to see buoy before crash

Emily Lewis, 15, died at Southampton General Hospital on August 22, 2020.

She was seriously injured while onboard a ‘high thrills’ Seadogz ride in Southampton Water.

At the inquest into her death, which began on Wednesday, Winchester Coroners' Court heard that the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) had been involved in three previous crashes.

The teenager suffered fatal injuries after it collided with a 4.5m high buoy at around 42mph.

The inquest heard how the North West Netley buoy was visible for “14 seconds” but Michael Lawrence, who was driving the boat, failed to see it.

The Stormforce 950 Rib crossed the wake of the Red Falcon ferry five times during the trip, and it was on the final crossing when it started to move towards the buoy.

Giving evidence, Captain Emma Tiller of the Maritime Accident Investigation Board (MAIB), said: "The RIB hit the buoy because the skipper did not become aware of its proximity to take sufficient action.

"It is difficult to identify a single reason why the skipper did not see it in the 14 seconds before the crash.”

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Seadogz had “no safety management system in place” at the time if the incident, she added.

Captain Tiller said the skipper's vision was obscured by the passengers and the bow, especially when it rose and fell in the waves moments prior to the incident.

The inquest heard how Emily was sat on the ‘bench seat’ of the vessel, the seat directly in front of the skipper.

She was sat in between her mother Nicola and sister Amy, who was 18 at the time.

Captain Tiller said Emily had to perch on the edge of the seat to reach the handhold in front of her.

She said the bench seat "did not represent a safe position" for the three women.

Matthew Hill, counsel for MAIB, said the government organisation’s report into Emily’s death details the voluntary guidance given to members of the Professional Charter Association (PCA).

He said: "Very shortly before Emily lost her life, Seadogz applied for PCA membership.

"The guidance from PCA says RIBs are not driven through the wash of any motor vessel (other than RIBs) at speed except for purposes of safe navigation and collision avoidance.

"This is voluntary guidance, but is guidance from an organisation Seadogz was a member of."

‘Nothing short of devastating’

Nicola Lewis, Simon Lewis, and Amy Lewis outside the Coroners' Court in Winchester on Wednesday (Image: Newsquest) Simon Lewis, Emily’s father, read out an emotional statement before the court.

He described her as a “very kind and thoughtful person” with an “amazing ability to make people feel loved.”

He said: “Emily was just starting to find herself.

“She was incredibly creative and loved music, and discovering music and sharing it with us and her family.

"She was quiet, but fierce in defence of her friends and loved ones.

“She was a clever girl but suffered with anxiety, which meant she could not see how amazing she was.”

He added: "We don’t get to see her grow now.

"The effect Emily’s death on us is nothing short of devastating. Our lives have been decimated."