The Yacht Harbour Association Limited

Private and voluntary organisations · Maritime sector body

Pin Request correction

First report 14 Nov 2024•Latest report 14 Nov 2024

Reports, concerns and published responses

Reports over time

Reports naming this recipient by issue year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Reports
1

Naming this recipient

Published responses
0%

Found for named reports

Concerns addressed
0

Across all linked responses

Stated actions
0

Described in responses

Concerns and recipient responses

Statements from The Yacht Harbour Association Limited linked to the concerns in each report. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Oxfordshire

    AI-generated summary

    Catherine Sarah Forbes · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Catherine Forbes, aged 57, drowned after falling unwitnessed into the Thames and Kennet Marina late on 31 March 2023; she was unable to climb out using a nearby ladder. The principal concerns relate to the design, length, grip, number, placement and visibility of marina ladders, and to the availability of flotation devices, platforms and alarm systems to help people who fall into the water escape or raise the alarm.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Yacht Harbour Association Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficiently designed or available marina escape ladders

    Wider context from the report

    “I am mindful that safety improvements have been made at the Thames and Kennet Marina, specifically in relation to risk assessment and ladders having been upgraded to 2m in length with a minimum of 1m beneath the water. This is welcomed, not least because Catherine Forbes was the third person to drown in similar circumstances at the marina since 2016. I have continuing industry wide concerns which, I believe, your organisation is in a position to take account of and review. I note from your response dated 28 May 2024 that British Marine and YHA are keen to ensure that marinas are as safe as possible. The particular concern is in relation to persons falling into the marina, on their own and unwitnessed, and what measures are in place to enable them to get out or raise the alarm. Perhaps the main issue relates to sufficiently designed ladders, in terms of length and grip, but also their number, placement and visibility from the water at day or night (flags, fluorescent signage, lighting for example). It is not for me to make recommendations and I am not an expert of course on marina safety but it is my duty to raise concerns that reflect the evidence heard at inquest and the issues helpfully raised by Ms Forbes family. With this in mind, I enquire if there are flotation devices or small platforms which sit on the surface of the water which a person could access more easily? I also enquire if there are alarm systems that exist or could be considered which can be activated from the water. I appreciate of course they would need to be non-electrical or non-battery or fully waterproof. Further, with regard to the Gold Anchor Award, it appears that the important issue of safety is not one of the key attributes or evaluation categories. Thames and Kennet held the top 5 Gold Anchors at the time of Ms Forbes death but were not fully compliant with the TYHA 2013 Code of Practice in relation to the length of all ladders. I note the 2013 Code is being reviewed from June 2024 and I enquire if the concerns raised in this report can be taken into account, in conjunction with designers and suppliers who the TYHA consult with. I can advise that I will be supplying a copy of this report to the HSE and also the organisation with oversight of District Council’s who often have responsibility for health and safety enforcement of marinas instead of the HSE. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Yacht Harbour Association Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of accessible flotation devices or water-surface platforms for marina self-rescue

    Wider context from the report

    “I am mindful that safety improvements have been made at the Thames and Kennet Marina, specifically in relation to risk assessment and ladders having been upgraded to 2m in length with a minimum of 1m beneath the water. This is welcomed, not least because Catherine Forbes was the third person to drown in similar circumstances at the marina since 2016. I have continuing industry wide concerns which, I believe, your organisation is in a position to take account of and review. I note from your response dated 28 May 2024 that British Marine and YHA are keen to ensure that marinas are as safe as possible. The particular concern is in relation to persons falling into the marina, on their own and unwitnessed, and what measures are in place to enable them to get out or raise the alarm. Perhaps the main issue relates to sufficiently designed ladders, in terms of length and grip, but also their number, placement and visibility from the water at day or night (flags, fluorescent signage, lighting for example). It is not for me to make recommendations and I am not an expert of course on marina safety but it is my duty to raise concerns that reflect the evidence heard at inquest and the issues helpfully raised by Ms Forbes family. With this in mind, I enquire if there are flotation devices or small platforms which sit on the surface of the water which a person could access more easily? I also enquire if there are alarm systems that exist or could be considered which can be activated from the water. I appreciate of course they would need to be non-electrical or non-battery or fully waterproof. Further, with regard to the Gold Anchor Award, it appears that the important issue of safety is not one of the key attributes or evaluation categories. Thames and Kennet held the top 5 Gold Anchors at the time of Ms Forbes death but were not fully compliant with the TYHA 2013 Code of Practice in relation to the length of all ladders. I note the 2013 Code is being reviewed from June 2024 and I enquire if the concerns raised in this report can be taken into account, in conjunction with designers and suppliers who the TYHA consult with. I can advise that I will be supplying a copy of this report to the HSE and also the organisation with oversight of District Council’s who often have responsibility for health and safety enforcement of marinas instead of the HSE. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Yacht Harbour Association Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of reliable alarm systems activatable from the water

    Wider context from the report

    “I am mindful that safety improvements have been made at the Thames and Kennet Marina, specifically in relation to risk assessment and ladders having been upgraded to 2m in length with a minimum of 1m beneath the water. This is welcomed, not least because Catherine Forbes was the third person to drown in similar circumstances at the marina since 2016. I have continuing industry wide concerns which, I believe, your organisation is in a position to take account of and review. I note from your response dated 28 May 2024 that British Marine and YHA are keen to ensure that marinas are as safe as possible. The particular concern is in relation to persons falling into the marina, on their own and unwitnessed, and what measures are in place to enable them to get out or raise the alarm. Perhaps the main issue relates to sufficiently designed ladders, in terms of length and grip, but also their number, placement and visibility from the water at day or night (flags, fluorescent signage, lighting for example). It is not for me to make recommendations and I am not an expert of course on marina safety but it is my duty to raise concerns that reflect the evidence heard at inquest and the issues helpfully raised by Ms Forbes family. With this in mind, I enquire if there are flotation devices or small platforms which sit on the surface of the water which a person could access more easily? I also enquire if there are alarm systems that exist or could be considered which can be activated from the water. I appreciate of course they would need to be non-electrical or non-battery or fully waterproof. Further, with regard to the Gold Anchor Award, it appears that the important issue of safety is not one of the key attributes or evaluation categories. Thames and Kennet held the top 5 Gold Anchors at the time of Ms Forbes death but were not fully compliant with the TYHA 2013 Code of Practice in relation to the length of all ladders. I note the 2013 Code is being reviewed from June 2024 and I enquire if the concerns raised in this report can be taken into account, in conjunction with designers and suppliers who the TYHA consult with. I can advise that I will be supplying a copy of this report to the HSE and also the organisation with oversight of District Council’s who often have responsibility for health and safety enforcement of marinas instead of the HSE. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Yacht Harbour Association Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Exclusion of safety from Gold Anchor Award evaluation categories

    Wider context from the report

    “I am mindful that safety improvements have been made at the Thames and Kennet Marina, specifically in relation to risk assessment and ladders having been upgraded to 2m in length with a minimum of 1m beneath the water. This is welcomed, not least because Catherine Forbes was the third person to drown in similar circumstances at the marina since 2016. I have continuing industry wide concerns which, I believe, your organisation is in a position to take account of and review. I note from your response dated 28 May 2024 that British Marine and YHA are keen to ensure that marinas are as safe as possible. The particular concern is in relation to persons falling into the marina, on their own and unwitnessed, and what measures are in place to enable them to get out or raise the alarm. Perhaps the main issue relates to sufficiently designed ladders, in terms of length and grip, but also their number, placement and visibility from the water at day or night (flags, fluorescent signage, lighting for example). It is not for me to make recommendations and I am not an expert of course on marina safety but it is my duty to raise concerns that reflect the evidence heard at inquest and the issues helpfully raised by Ms Forbes family. With this in mind, I enquire if there are flotation devices or small platforms which sit on the surface of the water which a person could access more easily? I also enquire if there are alarm systems that exist or could be considered which can be activated from the water. I appreciate of course they would need to be non-electrical or non-battery or fully waterproof. Further, with regard to the Gold Anchor Award, it appears that the important issue of safety is not one of the key attributes or evaluation categories. Thames and Kennet held the top 5 Gold Anchors at the time of Ms Forbes death but were not fully compliant with the TYHA 2013 Code of Practice in relation to the length of all ladders. I note the 2013 Code is being reviewed from June 2024 and I enquire if the concerns raised in this report can be taken into account, in conjunction with designers and suppliers who the TYHA consult with. I can advise that I will be supplying a copy of this report to the HSE and also the organisation with oversight of District Council’s who often have responsibility for health and safety enforcement of marinas instead of the HSE. ”
    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to The Yacht Harbour Association Limited; that does not assign responsibility.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient visibility of marina escape ladders from the water

    Wider context from the report

    “I am mindful that safety improvements have been made at the Thames and Kennet Marina, specifically in relation to risk assessment and ladders having been upgraded to 2m in length with a minimum of 1m beneath the water. This is welcomed, not least because Catherine Forbes was the third person to drown in similar circumstances at the marina since 2016. I have continuing industry wide concerns which, I believe, your organisation is in a position to take account of and review. I note from your response dated 28 May 2024 that British Marine and YHA are keen to ensure that marinas are as safe as possible. The particular concern is in relation to persons falling into the marina, on their own and unwitnessed, and what measures are in place to enable them to get out or raise the alarm. Perhaps the main issue relates to sufficiently designed ladders, in terms of length and grip, but also their number, placement and visibility from the water at day or night (flags, fluorescent signage, lighting for example). It is not for me to make recommendations and I am not an expert of course on marina safety but it is my duty to raise concerns that reflect the evidence heard at inquest and the issues helpfully raised by Ms Forbes family. With this in mind, I enquire if there are flotation devices or small platforms which sit on the surface of the water which a person could access more easily? I also enquire if there are alarm systems that exist or could be considered which can be activated from the water. I appreciate of course they would need to be non-electrical or non-battery or fully waterproof. Further, with regard to the Gold Anchor Award, it appears that the important issue of safety is not one of the key attributes or evaluation categories. Thames and Kennet held the top 5 Gold Anchors at the time of Ms Forbes death but were not fully compliant with the TYHA 2013 Code of Practice in relation to the length of all ladders. I note the 2013 Code is being reviewed from June 2024 and I enquire if the concerns raised in this report can be taken into account, in conjunction with designers and suppliers who the TYHA consult with. I can advise that I will be supplying a copy of this report to the HSE and also the organisation with oversight of District Council’s who often have responsibility for health and safety enforcement of marinas instead of the HSE. ”
    Open source report
Back to top

Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026