People in small boats should wear life jackets at all times, Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar says.
"That is at all times - not just when the water gets choppy; not just for children; not just when the boat is moving. You do not take your life jacket off when you are fishing; you wear your lifejacket all of the time."
Mr Crerar's comments were contained in his finding into the death in Lake Onslow of Kevin Donald Croad (48), of Gore, on October 31. The finding was released this week, following an inquest on November 10.
Mr Croad had been fishing with his friend, John Grogan, and Mr Grogan's two young daughters, on the lake in a boat owned by another friend, Murray Thompson. Only the two girls wore life jackets.
In an attempt to unsnag a fishing line, Mr Croad stepped over the side of the boat, on to the transom and put one leg into the water. He sat on the edge of the boat but slipped into the water. He then turned, raised his arms, looked at Mr Grogan and said "Get a pole" very quietly.
While Mr Grogan searched for a pole, or oar, the wind pushed the boat away from Mr Croad, who was lying on his back.
Mr Grogan got into the water and started to swim towards him, then noticed the boat with his daughters in it was drifting away. He swam back to the boat and threw life jackets towards Mr Croad before trying to start the boat's motor. It would not start because, unknown to him, the motor was fitted with an emergency cut-out device.
The inquest heard Mr Grogan also made a second unsuccessful attempt to swim to Mr Croad.
Once the boat had drifted to the lake's edge, Mr Grogan made sure his daughters were safe before searching for Mr Croad, on foot and then in a boat with friends. Police joined the search but it was not until the next day that Mr Croad's body was found on the lake bed by a member of the police national dive squad.
Mr Crerar found he had drowned.
The reason Mr Croad did not attempt to swim to the boat or otherwise try to save himself might never be known, Mr Crerar said, as police inquiries found that he was a competent swimmer.
"I am compelled to a conclusion that Kevin Croad did suffer an 'event', medical or emotional, which rendered him incapable of rescue."
No blame should fall on Mr Grogan for his inability to start the motor, Mr Crerar said.
"I think the kill-switch mechanism would have defeated a lot of us, particularly in a panic situation. These sorts of things do happen and as I repeat, that although there is no blame that I can attribute to Mr Grogan, it does behove everybody working around boats, even on a recreational basis, just learn the rudiments - know how to start, know how to steer, and a tragedy such as this may be averted," he said.
With that in mind, Mr Crerar recommended Maritime New Zealand consider a publicity programme to teach boat passengers the basics of safe boating.
