Finding into death of Robert Wayne Edwards
Deceased
Robert Wayne Edwards
Demographics
61y, male
Date of death
2020-02-11
Finding date
2022-12-15
Cause of death
INJURIES SUSTAINED IN A BOAT COLLISION
AI-generated summary
Robert Wayne Edwards, 61, died from injuries sustained in a boat collision on Gippsland Lakes. While both vessels were underway at similar speeds, Edwards' vessel was positioned on the port side of the channel contrary to maritime regulations requiring starboard positioning. The other vessel operator failed to maintain proper lookout, only sighting Edwards' boat 10-15 seconds before impact, and did not take evasive action despite having opportunity. The coroner found the collision was caused by failure to keep proper lookout as required by international maritime collision regulations. This case highlights the importance of adhering to navigation rules, maintaining constant situational awareness while operating vessels, and the critical role of proper lookout in preventing collisions.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Failure to maintain proper lookout by Mr Malchi as required by COLREGs Rule 5
- Mr Edwards' vessel positioned on port side of channel contrary to Rule 9 COLREGs and Regulation 111(1) MS Regulations
- Mr Malchi did not take evasive action despite 10-15 seconds notice of approaching vessel
- Possible obstruction of view due to bow of boat during acceleration to planing speed
- Mr Malchi monitoring tachometer rather than maintaining lookout
- Possible course change by Mr Edwards to port rather than required starboard direction
Coroner's recommendations
- That the Minister for Fishing and Boating consider the introduction of a new indictable offence to cover situations where the operator of a vessel breaches the COLREGs or operates a vessel in a manner that is unsafe and causes serious injury or death, applying where more than one vessel operator may have contributed to the death or serious injury without requiring proof that the accused solely or substantially caused the death or serious injury
Full text
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