Sailing yacht Mollie, crew fatality, near Isle of Wight, UK, 5 August 2025

In this inquiry

This was an overseas assistance inquiry that the Commission opened for administrative purposes under Section 8(2)(e) of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission Act 1990, which authorises the Commission to "cooperate and coordinate with other accident investigation organisations overseas, including taking evidence on their behalf."

Executive summary Tuhinga whakarāpopoto

The Commission approved closure of this inquiry on February 26 2026.

The reported circumstances at commencement were that on 5 August 2025, the skipper of the Mollie, a New Zealand-registered recreational vessel, was seriously injured and later died when winch equipment malfunctioned. The accident occurred when the vessel was off the west coast of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.

Inspectors from the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) deployed to conduct a preliminary assessment into the fatal accident. TAIC’s involvement is to assist MAIB, should they need to gather evidence in New Zealand.

As usual for overseas assistance inquiries, TAIC did not produce a report.