Coronial
SAother

Coroner's Finding: Eckert, Paul Theodore & Eckert, Thomas Sebastian & Bottrill, Alan Leslie & Neave, David Arthur & Ingram, Rodney Jon & Martin, Peter Joseph & Walker, Roger Malcolm & Kent, Victor Reginald

Deceased

Paul Theodore Eckert, Thomas Sebastian Eckert, Alan Leslie Bottrill, David Arthur Neave, Rodney Jon Ingram, Peter Joseph Martin, Roger Malcolm Walker, Victor Reginald Kent

Demographics

male

Date of death

2024-03-25, 2024-08-14, 2024-11-30, 2025-01-06

Finding date

2026-02-26

Cause of death

Drowning (with various contributing cardiac and traumatic factors)

AI-generated summary

Eight people died in four separate boating incidents in South Australian waters between March 2024 and January 2025, all from drowning or drowning-related causes. The coroner found that lifejackets would likely have prevented most or all deaths. Key issues identified: inadequate lifejacket mandate (currently only vessels under 4.8m), non-compliant or deteriorated lifejackets in use, operator non-compliance with existing regulations, and the unpredictable nature of ocean conditions near reefs. The coroner recommended raising the mandatory lifejacket threshold to 7 metres for all vessels, updating boating safety training and handbooks, and encouraging use of personal locator beacons. Clinical lessons centre on the importance of preventive safety measures and the value of simple protective devices in high-risk activities.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Error types

system

Clinical conditions

DrowningCardiac arrhythmia due to non-ischaemic cardiomyopathyIschaemic heart diseaseCardiomegalyRuptured spleenHead and chest injuries

Contributing factors

  • Non-wearing of lifejackets
  • Non-compliant or deteriorated lifejackets
  • Inadequate lifejacket mandate (4.8m threshold)
  • Unpredictable ocean swells near reefs
  • Entanglement of cray pot rope in propeller
  • Open transom door allowing water ingress
  • Inadequate bilge pump installation
  • Pre-existing cardiac conditions
  • Fog reducing visibility
  • Snagged cray pots
  • Absence of activated EPIRB or PLB

Coroner's recommendations

  1. South Australia should lead the nation by introducing an obligation to wear a lifejacket when aboard any motor vessel up to 7 metres in length, not restricted to when the vessel is under way
  2. The boat operator licensing theory test should be modified to include a mandatory component relating to the use of lifejackets
  3. The Boating Safety Handbook should be updated to include a chapter devoted to lifejackets to convey their importance and the importance of wearing them before a marine incident occurs
  4. The Boating Safety Handbook or Marine Safety website, or both, should be updated to encourage the use by fishers and boaters, particularly offshore fishers, of personal locator beacons with GPS capability, regardless of whether an EPIRB is or must be carried
Full text
Official source Archived copy

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Source and disclaimer

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