Coronial
WAother

Inquest into the Death of Nigel Paradine KITCHEN and Andrew Trevor HINDS

Deceased

Nigel Paradine KITCHEN and Andrew Trevor HINDS

Demographics

male

Coroner

Deputy State Coroner

Date of death

2016-05-29

Cause of death

Drowning following capsizing and disintegration of recreational fishing vessel in heavy seas

AI-generated summary

Two experienced recreational fishermen, aged 50 and 57, died in a boating accident near Coral Bay, Western Australia on 29 May 2016. Their vessel Centrefold, an 8.2-metre recreational boat equipped with safety equipment including EPIRBs and life jackets, was caught in heavy seas (predicted 1-1.5m, actual up to 3-4m) near south passage through Ningaloo Reef. Despite weather warnings and advice to use the wider north passage, the men chose to transit through the more dangerous south passage. A catastrophic swamping and capsizing occurred, likely preventing activation of safety equipment. The coroner found death occurred by accidental drowning. Key lessons include: wearing water-activated personal flotation devices (not traditional life jackets left in cabins), using externally-mounted water-activated EPIRBs requiring no manual deployment, and notifying local marine rescue of fishing intentions. Even experienced mariners face unpredictable ocean conditions; additional safety measures may not have prevented this catastrophic event but could improve rescue prospects.

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

Contributing factors

  • Weather conditions deteriorating with seas up to 3-4 metres
  • Decision to transit through dangerous south passage despite warnings to use wider north passage
  • Catastrophic swamping event in heavy seas near reef
  • Rapid disintegration of vessel prevented use as refuge
  • Inability to activate EPIRB safety equipment due to sudden capsizing
  • Lack of immediately accessible personal flotation devices
  • No notification of fishing intentions to marine rescue services

Coroner's recommendations

  1. All recreational activities on the water be undertaken with the wearing of personal floatation devices activated on contact with water
  2. Where recreational activities are undertaken in conditions where EPIRBs are used, those EPIRBs include a water activated device which is located externally to the cabin and does not require manual activation
  3. Those intending to fish recreationally off shore notify the local marine volunteer search and rescue group, or at the very least, friends and family of their intended route, and of changes directed by weather conditions where possible
Full text
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