Inquest into the death of Noel Ramage

75y · Male·Accidental drowning

A 75-year-old man died by drowning after his modified recreational boat capsized on Saltwater Arm River. The boat had been fitted with unauthorised side panels and modified seating that compromised stability and exceeded design capacity. While the deceased had significant cardiac pathology (pacemaker in situ, cardiomegaly, coronary atherosclerosis), the immediate cause was drowning after capsizing. He was not wearing a lifejacket despite operating the vessel. The coroner found the modifications rendered the boat unsafe for two persons. The clinical lesson emphasises that older persons with significant cardiac disease and reduced exercise tolerance face compounded risk during water activities; appropriate flotation devices and adherence to vessel design specifications are critical safety measures.