Deceased
Kaye D Ward
Demographics
60y, female
Coroner
Coroner Jonathan G Klestadt
Date of death
2012-11-25
Cause of death
Consistent with drowning
AI-generated summary
Kaye Ward, 60, drowned in Belfast Bay, Port Fairy after her fishing boat's motor failed to start due to corroded battery cable. With an undersized anchor that dragged ineffectively, the boat drifted into breaking waves and capsized. Both deceased wore inflatable Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) that lacked crutch straps, causing them to ride up over the wearer's shoulders and neck, rendering the devices ineffective and preventing arm use for swimming or self-rescue. The coroner found the PFD design flawed and inadequate—proper crutch straps are vital for preventing upward migration. Key lessons: ensure meticulous equipment maintenance (battery connections), carry appropriately sized anchors for vessel and conditions, and recognise that inflatable PFDs without crutch straps significantly compromise water survival capability, particularly in challenging sea conditions.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
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