The Dutch Safety Board has issued a warning against the use of a specific type of parachute flare after a Dutch sailor, en-route from Panama to French Polynesia, was killed when the flare mis-fired.

Published 2 years ago

Source: www.zeilen.nl

A crew member of the Dutch yacht “Bontekoning” died tragically on January 1, 2023 in the Pacific Ocean. The yacht was on passage from Panama to French Polynesia when 23-year-old Willem Kerstjens from Delft fired the flare just after midnight, as an alternative to fireworks, to celebrate the New Year.

The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) warning concerns a Red Rocket Parachute Flare L-35 of the Pirolec brand, from batch 0525/2021 – 113 and recommends not to use signals from the said batch and to replace them as soon as possible.

Bontekoning participated in ARC 2021 and the exploding flare was purchased in Spain, presumably at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands at the start of the ARC.

Flares are intended to attract the attention of other ships in an emergency. What was supposed to be a nice alternative to fireworks – to ring in the new year in the middle of the ocean – went horribly wrong during the lighting: the flare exploded in Willem’s hand.

The people on board tried to resuscitate him and an emergency doctor was contacted via satellite phone, but unfortunately that was no longer possible. “We are very saddened that we saw a sailing buddy, a friend pass away in our presence”, say fellow crew members René, Karin and Hugo in their personal obituary about Willem.

Willem was transferred over to a passing tanker which was headed for Australia while the yacht continued on to French Polynesia.

In response to the recall, World Cruising Club said they have sent information to all ARC 2021 participants, advising of the product recall.

Precautionary Warning

“The warning stems from the OVV’s exploratory investigation into the accident on January 1, 2023 on a ship in the Pacific Ocean,” the OVV writes. “The flare was fired as instructed, but exploded immediately.” The Dutch Safety Board immediately started an exploratory investigation. “It is still unclear what caused the flare to explode immediately. There is a risk that it is not a one-off incident. That is why the Council is issuing a warning as a precaution.”

Sold in Spain and Canary Islands

According to the Spanish manufacturer LECEA, the signal manufactured in August 2021 has only been sold in Spain. There it has started a recall. Because the Canary Islands also fall under Spanish territory, there is a good chance that departures and/or participants of the ARC have such signals on board.

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Related News:

• Dutch Sailor Dies from “New Year’s Flare” (in Dutch)
  
• Dutch Safety Board Warns of Parachute Signal (In Dutch)
  
• Dutch Safety Board Recall Notice (In Dutch)
  

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