A sailor died during a training session on a superyacht in Antigua when part of the rigging system failed and a pulley hit him on the head, an inquest has heard.
Sam Richmond, 37, was a member of the crew on board the 102ft Southern Wind yacht Farfalla when the accident happened on March 8, 2022.
The father-of-two from Southampton had been training for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, an annual regatta in the Caribbean.
The hearing at Winchester Coroners’ Court was told that a pad eye – a metal securing bolt – failed on the yacht, causing a pulley to swing loose and hit Mr Richmond on the head.
In a statement read to the inquest, skipper Richard Chadburn said: ‘The block exploded into the back of Sam Richmond’s head.
‘Following what happened a mayday call was put out by the yacht, the sails were brought down and first aid was administered.’
The inquest heard that the yacht was motored back to shore where Mr Richmond, who had lost consciousness, was taken to hospital by ambulance.
He was then transferred to Broward Health Medical Centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he died two days later.
Paying tribute to Mr Richmond, his widow, Colette, said: ‘He loved life, he lived every day to the fullest, he was very fortunate to do what he enjoyed most for his living.
‘Sailing was a massive part of his life, he had built a wonderful life for himself.’
She added: ‘He is hugely missed and he is hugely remembered.’
Sam Laidlaw, of yacht owners Red Birdwing, told the inquest: ‘Sam was somebody I had sailed with on boats of various different sizes for over 10 years, he was a great professional and would bring joy and enthusiasm.’
He said that examinations into the accident had found that the cause of the loose block was a failed pad eye.
Mr Laidlaw said: ‘The pad eye is genuinely thought to be solid, it’s a very solid piece of metal, you would expect the rigging to fail or training blocks to fail but you wouldn’t expect the pad eye to be the weak link.’
He added: ‘I hope lessons will be learnt about rigging design and boat design, there have been modifications to more recent boats which hopefully will prevent this from happening.
‘I hope lessons will be learnt and this will never happen again.’
He added that further checks had been introduced meaning that pad eyes would be inspected and replaced every two years and new, stronger, titanium fittings were also being used.
A coroner today concluded that Mr Richmond died as a result of a ‘terrible accident’.
Jason Pegg, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, told the hearing that the sailor was someone who ‘loved life and indeed made the most of life’.
He said: ‘Sam, it seems to me, had two great passions in his life. Firstly, his family and secondly, his love of sailing.
‘Because of that passion for sailing and indeed his long friendship with Mr Laidlow, Sam found himself in Antigua in March 2022 for a forthcoming sailing challenge where Sam was to be a member of a crew on the yacht Farfella.’
Mr Pegg said that when the pad eye failed and caused the pulley to spring forward, a ‘bang could be heard’.
He continued: ‘It was of course an unexpected bang on a yacht but it soon became apparent that Sam had suffered a catastrophically severe head injury.
‘When Sam was struck by that block, it caused a devastating brain injury. He was immediately unconscious and remained unconscious until he passed away in Florida, having been taken there for medical care.’
The coroner said the pad eye on the yacht failed because of a crack which had deepened over time since the yacht was constructed.
He said this occurred as a result of the repeated use of the yacht which was sailed in both light and strong winds.
The coroner concluded that his death was a ‘terrible, devastating accident’.
Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Richmond said: ‘Sam was one of those people that you would never forget meeting.
‘His positivity, kindness and zest for life meant he was loved by so many.
‘His family and friends cherish the memories of him and his stories will always continue to be retold.’