Inquest into the Suspected Death of Fuh Jinn YANG

26y · Male·drowning in the Indian Ocean

This case involves the drowning death of Fuh Jinn Yang, a Taiwanese fisherman who died on 4 August 1984 while attempting a heroic rescue of a colleague who had fallen overboard from a fishing vessel off Broome, Western Australia. Yang's colleague, Wan Chi Yang, had become intoxicated and fallen into the ocean. When Yang saw him struggling, he removed his safety line to swim further and attempt rescue. Despite initial rescue efforts by crew members, both men drifted away from the vessel. A civilian fisherman later found Yang exhausted but still supporting his unconscious colleague in the water. Yang released the body to signal for help but subsequently lost consciousness and sank in approximately 80 metres of water. His body was never recovered. The death was classified as accidental drowning. This case illustrates the risks of maritime work, the dangers of fatigue and intoxication in aquatic environments, and the importance of maritime safety protocols.