Maritimo’s Tom Barry-Cotter reveals terrifying moments after XCAT boat crash

A GOLD Coast boat racer involved in a terrifying crash at an overseas XCAT race has revealed his frantic efforts to save his unconscious co-pilot who was trapped in the rapidly flooding cockpit.

A GOLD Coast boat racer involved in a terrifying crash at an overseas XCAT race has revealed his frantic efforts to save his unconscious co-pilot who was trapped in the rapidly flooding cockpit.

Tom Barry-Cotter and co-pilot Ross Willaton were competing in a UIM XCAT World Championship series event in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, when their Maritimo Racing powerboat collided with Team Australia on Thursday.

Mr Willaton was knocked unconscious and became tangled in his HANS device — a head restraint — when the boat flipped leaving Mr Barry-Cotter desperately battling to free him from the flooded cockpit.

Tom Barry-Cotter desperately tried to save his co-pilot. Picture: Regi Varghese

“It was very scary, I had to get him out of his seat, and keep his head above the water flooding in all while trying to get myself out too,” Mr Barry-Cotter told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“He ended up getting tangled on his HANS device and I couldn’t get him out, so a diver had another go and couldn’t either. It took another two divers from underneath the boat to pull him out.

“It was just awful.

“I was scared for Ross, I tried as hard as I could to free him but in all the safety gear we are wearing it makes it hard to perform a rescue.

“The rescue team were unbelievable. They for sure saved Ross’ life.”

Gold Coast man Tom Barry-Cotter and colleague Ross Willaton were competing in the XCAT World Championship series leg at Fujairah when their extreme catamaran, Maritimo Racing, collided with Team Australia. Picture: XCAT World Championship

Mr Barry-Cotter said he was trapped in the overturned boat for about minute but his co-pilot was stuck for up to three minutes inside the completely flooded cabin.

“When the first diver got there and I got out it was about three quarters full of water, so I was holding his (Mr Willaton) head out, but within a few seconds of me getting out, it completely filled and you couldn’t even see him,” he said.

Mr Barry-Cotter and his father — Gold Coast boating identity Bill — have both lashed out at the organisers of the global powerboat series after it became mandatory to wear the HANS devices, which limits the head movement of XCAT pilots.

Ross Willaton ended up in hospital with water on the lungs — and Mr Barry-Cotter said his friend and senior staffer was lucky not to have drowned.

“It is OK in car racing, but not nice to swim around a submerged cockpit with,” said Tom Barry-Cotter, who suffered a badly bruised spleen in the crash.

“The next day all drivers unanimously signed a petition to remove the mandatory status of HANS and make it optional for the drivers because drivers have complained that this might happen.

“The device is designed for cars, and in the instructions is not meant to be used with a life vest that we are already wearing.

“HANS may have had a positive effect in the impact, but we both got tangled on it trying to escape the flooded cockpit, for sure we would be less restricted in escaping if we weren’t wearing it.”

Tom Barry-Cotter suffered a badly bruised spleen in the powerboat collision while racing in the United Arab Emirates. Picture Glenn Hampson

Bill Barry-Cotter, the founder of boat building giant Maritimo and veteran backer of powerboat racing, was furious about the accident which left with Mr Willaton in hospital with water on his lungs — and Bill Barry-Cotter said he was lucky he didn’t drown.

It is understood Team Australia collided with Maritimo Racing on the first turn of the first lap of the Fujairah Grand Prix.

“It is frustrating because it was so unnecessary. The trouble is the sport is worldwide now but being run by amateurs,” a furious Bill Barry-Cotter alleged.

Bill Barry-Cotter, founder, Maritimo, is furious about an XCAT World Championship race smash involving his on Tom and senior staffer Ross Willaton who Mr Barry-Cotter says almost drowned. Mr Barry-Cotter has launched a scathing verbal attack on the race series organisers. Photo: Regi Varghese

“It is a real issue. If you look at the sport, it could be as good as Formula One but it isn’t. The inmates are running the asylum.”

Bill Barry-Cotter said he strongly disagreed with a requirement for racers to wear head restraints and it took two divers multiple separate attempts to free Mr Willaton who was tangled in it.

“Rosco was upside down in the boat in the water, unconscious and Tom was trying to get him out. Tom had to move to get a diver room to get in and the first one couldn’t free him.

“Another diver went in through the cockpit and managed to get him out.

Bill Barry-Cotter is scathing of XCAT organisers after an “unnecessary” crash involving his Team Maritimo: “If you look at the sport, it could be as good as Formula One but it isn’t. The inmates are running the asylum.” Photo: Regi Varghese

“Organisers have insisted on wearing the head restraints but it’s the most dangerous thing you can do,” Bill Barry-Cotter claimed, adding last night Mr Willaton remained in hospital.

Tom Barry-Cotter is a top designer at Maritimo and powerboat racer while Mr Willaton is a company veteran who oversees company serving and warranties.

Maritimo CEO Garth Corbitt said it was extremely fortunate the pair did not sustain more serious injuries.

“Competing at this level on the international stage is not for the faint hearted and we are just very grateful that Tom and Rossco are both okay,” he said.

In 2012, Maritimo won the World Offshore Powerboat Championships in Key West. The XCAT boats are capable of reaching speeds of around 200km/h.