Inquest into the death of Noel Ramage
Deceased
Noel P Ramage
Demographics
75y, male
Date of death
2016-05-17
Finding date
2017-01-09
Cause of death
Accidental drowning
AI-generated summary
A 75-year-old man died by drowning after his modified recreational boat capsized on Saltwater Arm River. The boat had been fitted with unauthorised side panels and modified seating that compromised stability and exceeded design capacity. While the deceased had significant cardiac pathology (pacemaker in situ, cardiomegaly, coronary atherosclerosis), the immediate cause was drowning after capsizing. He was not wearing a lifejacket despite operating the vessel. The coroner found the modifications rendered the boat unsafe for two persons. The clinical lesson emphasises that older persons with significant cardiac disease and reduced exercise tolerance face compounded risk during water activities; appropriate flotation devices and adherence to vessel design specifications are critical safety measures.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Boat modified with side panels and chairs that compromised stability
- Vessel modifications exceeded design capacity
- Deceased did not wear lifejacket despite operating the boat
- Shifting weight during crabbing activity caused capsizing
- Significant underlying cardiac pathology (pacemaker, cardiomegaly, coronary atherosclerosis)
- Rapid water entry due to inadequate freeboard from modifications
Coroner's recommendations
- Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics should alert users of small boats to the dangers of modifying vessels without expert advice or assistance
- Alert users to the dangers of operating vessels beyond their design capabilities, including exceeding the requirements detailed in an Australian Builders Plate where one is fitted
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