Finding into death of Courtney Faith Keast

Contributing factors

• Collision between two ski boats at Lake Eppalock
• Failure to maintain proper lookout by both vessel operators
• Inadequate compliance with Prevention of Collision Conventions (COLREGS)
• Both operators did not see each other until too late
• Narrow waterway creating a traffic chokepoint
• Inadequate boat operator education and licensing
• Insufficient speed and distance rules for towing activities in narrow waterways
• Cultural perception of 'recreational' boating as lower-risk activity

Coroner's recommendations

1. Review of the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules regarding speed and distance rules for towing activities, with particular consideration of narrow and confined waterways, human factors and task liability on vessel operators, and vessel dynamics and ability to decelerate or alter course
2. More stringent boat license training including a component regarding estimating distance over water, followed by a practical assessment to test foundation knowledge and effectiveness of learning
3. The term 'recreational vessel' be removed in relevant legislation and publications and simply be left as 'vessel' to lessen the implied notion that boat operation is a hobby with lesser standards of responsibility than road users
4. An indictable offence of 'operate a vessel in (a) contravention of the Prevention of Collisions Convention, or (b) that is an Unsafe Vessel causing death or serious injury' be created within the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic)