Inquest into the Deaths of Uock PHAM and Justin O'NEILL and Jacob PHAM and Tuan PHAM
Deceased
Uock PHAM, Tuan PHAM, Justin Michael O'NEILL, Jacob Tuan PHAM
Demographics
male
Date of death
2018-10-04
Finding date
2019-12-30
Cause of death
immersion (confirmed for Justin O'Neill and Jacob Pham; unascertained for Uock Pham and Tuan Pham, but presumed immersion)
AI-generated summary
This tragic inquest examined the sinking of the recreational fishing vessel 'Yeah Buoy' on 4 October 2018 in the Indian Ocean near Rottnest Island, Western Australia, which resulted in four deaths: Uock Pham (50), Tuan Pham (43), Justin O'Neill (32), and Jacob Pham (24). The vessel suffered a catastrophic marine incident in rough seas with 1.5–3 metre swells. Two bodies were found within days, human remains of a third from the seabed, and the fourth body was never located. The coroner found all deaths were from immersion. The vessel likely sank quickly, preventing occupants from accessing lifejackets. The coroner emphasised that safety equipment must be readily accessible and highlighted that wearing lifejackets and activating an EPIRB may have altered the outcome. Recommendations included incorporating emergency readiness drills into recreational skipper training and a public awareness campaign promoting lifejacket use in adverse weather and proper logging with rescue services.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Vessel suffered catastrophic marine incident
- Following seas with rough conditions (1.5-3 metre waves, wind 28-46 km/h gusting to 55 km/h)
- Limited experience with extended open ocean voyages
- Lifejackets not worn or not accessible to occupants
- EPIRB not activated when vessel sank
Coroner's recommendations
- Include the '30 Second Challenge' in the practical assessment for people seeking a recreational skipper's ticket, where users gather signal flares, EPIRB, make a radio call and put on a lifejacket within 30 seconds
- Initiate a public awareness campaign using social media and appropriate communication methods to encourage skippers to: (a) ensure all passengers wear appropriate lifejackets at first sign of bad weather and when navigating in following seas, (b) store all required safety equipment for immediate availability in emergencies, (c) consider weather and navigation impediments before commencing open water voyages, (d) provide voyage details to marine rescue services and log on and off at start and end of trips
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