Coroner's Finding: GADD David Russell and GUJARI Kamran Bimal and ANWARI Nasir Ali

Contributing factors

• Lack of adequate warning signage at Depps Beach
• Inadequate or ignored warning signage at Petrel Cove
• Limited swimming ability
• Naivety regarding ocean hazards
• Lack of knowledge of rip escape techniques
• Powerful rip currents at both beaches
• Unfamiliarity with coastal swimming hazards
• Insufficient community education about water safety

Coroner's recommendations

1. Signage at Depps Beach and Petrel Cove should immediately make reference to deaths through drowning that have occurred at both beaches due to dangerous rips, and make reference in strong terms that swimming is not advised
2. Erect discrete stand-alone signage reading 'NO SWIMMING – DANGEROUS RIPS' at the beginning of the track from Petrel Cove car park and on the landing at the bottom of the steps, and at each end of Depps Beach where the heritage trail descends
3. Erect the same signage at the commencement of the heritage trail at the western end of Petrel Cove car park
4. Consider translating warning signage into languages reflecting South Australian immigrant and overseas student populations
5. Display information within the shelter at the western end of Petrel Cove car park concerning the deaths and reasons (dangerous rips) at both beaches, in multiple languages where practical
6. Council to consider carefully whether to close beaches west of The Bluff or impose enforceable swimming prohibitions, weighing all factors including public sentiment, enforcement capacity, and unintended consequences
7. Council to consider whether removal of steps at Petrel Cove is appropriate, or whether signage at alternative access points should be established
8. Erect signage in the vicinity of Kings Beach car parking area to warn visitors accessing beaches from that location
9. Install emergency flotation devices such as lifebuoys at beaches west of The Bluff, potentially attached to memorials to those who died
10. Establish a Surf Life Saving South Australia Rescue Centre at Victor Harbor equipped with a jet rescue boat
11. Establish an Emergency Response Beacon System at Petrel Cove
12. Consider the appropriateness and feasibility of stationing a rescue helicopter at Goolwa Airport
13. Undertake a survey of mobile phone coverage at locations west of The Bluff
14. Conduct a public education campaign before the next swimming season educating the public about dangers of certain beaches in South Australia and strategies to avoid these dangers
15. Distribute education material about beach hazards and rip escape techniques (remain calm, do not swim against rip, raise hand for help, float on back, strong swimmers swim parallel to shore)
16. Direct targeted water safety education to newly arrived immigrants, overseas students, and visitors
17. Implement a strong education programme urging the public to take notice of and heed beach warning signage

Further listening

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