Michael v Musgrave (The “Sea Eagle”) – Admlty Ct (Jervis Kay QC, Admiralty Registrar) – 7 June 2011

Athens Convention – Time bar – Claimant sustaining personal injury whilst being carried as a passenger on rigid inflatable boat in Menai Strait – Whether RIB was a “ship” – Whether “seagoing” – Whether claim subject to two-year limitation period

On 21 August 2007 the claimant was one of a party of visitors being taken on a trip around the coast of Anglesey in the Rigid Inflatable Boat (“RIB”) Sea Eagle to observe areas of scenic and wildlife interest. The proposed trip was from a place within the Menai Strait (either Moel-y-Don or Llanfair) to Puffin Island at the northern entrance to the Menai Strait and back. When the RIB was in the Menai Strait, and as the claimant was standing up, the RIB hit a wave and the claimant was thrown about, sustaining injury.