Inquest into the Cause and Circumstances surrounding the death of RICKIE JAMES MAKIN

Contributing factors

• Absence of personal flotation device
• Head injury (laceration and brain contusions) incurred during sharp gybe manoeuvre
• Unexpected and uncontrolled gybe manoeuvre
• Heavy seas and strong winds (25–30 knots gusting, 2–3 metre swells)
• No rescue tether points on body; life ring could not be secured to casualty
• Crew exhaustion and injury (Mrs McKay fractured arm, Dr C. exhaustion)
• Delay in Mayday call (28 minutes post-incident)
• Inability to lift casualty back aboard yacht due to freeboard height and crew capacity
• Underlying coronary atherosclerosis (medical comorbidity)

Coroner's recommendations

1. Amend Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016 to include mandatory wearing of lifejacket level 150 or above with fitted rescue tether points during competitive yacht racing unless momentary adjustment, impractical, or unsafe
2. Australian Sailing to direct members, stakeholders and affiliates that skippers of racing yachts in Queensland must ensure mandatory wearing of lifejacket level 150 or above with fitted rescue tether points during competitive yacht racing unless momentary adjustment, impractical, or unsafe
3. Australian Sailing to direct members, stakeholders and affiliates that skippers must ensure regular man overboard drills using life-sized and weighted mannequin or actual human volunteer to ensure authentic skill development and practice
4. Nominate Dr C., Mr Glen McKay, and Ms Anne McKay for bravery decoration to the Honours and Awards Secretariat, Council of the Order of Australia

Further listening

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