Inquest into the disappearance of Benjamin LIPPIATT

26y · Male·drowning

Benjamin Lippiatt, 26, disappeared from a cruise ship in the Coral Sea on 29 March 2019. After consuming approximately 13 standard drinks over 8 hours, he was found on FLIR camera footage lowering himself over the ship's railing at approximately 23:06 and falling into the sea. Expert evidence established he was most likely sleepwalking, with a documented history of sleepwalking from childhood and family predisposition. The fall from approximately 10.3 metres, combined with significant alcohol intoxication, high-speed water entry, cold water, and turbulent conditions from the moving vessel, made his death essentially instantaneous. The coroner found no evidence of suicide or foul play. No clinical or systemic failures were identified, and no recommendations were made as Benjamin's death would have been virtually impossible to prevent even with real-time video monitoring systems.