Boating survivors fortunate: Coroner

Members of Newmont's Mines Rescue Unit wade ashore at Anzac Bay after spending a morning searching the Matakana shoreline for Katikati man Tim Mair. Photo / Fritha Tagg

A boating tragedy which took the life of a Katikati grandfather could easily have resulted in more deaths, a coroner has found.

Coroner Peter Ryan yesterday released his findings into the death of Timothy Robert Russell Mair, who would have turned 53 on Friday, when his boat capsized near the entrance to the harbour at Bowentown on January 28.

Mr Mair and his grandson, daughter, son and family friend were trawling in rough seas with a large swell when the boat was swamped by a wave and capsized by a second wave, Mr Ryan said.

Only one of the people on board the boat was wearing a lifejacket but three others managed to put a lifejacket on while in the water.

"The death most likely could have been prevented if Mr Mair had been wearing a lifejacket at the time the boat capsized. It is extremely fortunate that the other three occupants of the boat, who were not wearing lifejackets, survived this ordeal," Mr Ryan said.

"This incident could easily have resulted in multiple fatalities, but for the fact that the life jackets on the boat floated to the surface near the boat following the capsize, and the occupants were then able to grab them."

The group of four were able to make their way to Matakana Island, where they were rescued by a passing boat.

Once the alarm was raised a search immediately began for Mr Mair but he was not found. His body was discovered floating in the sea off Whiritoa beach on February 7.

Coroner Ryan said he was satisfied from the evidence provided that an extensive search was undertaken for Mr Mair.

It was a legal requirement for every pleasure boat to have a personal flotation device (PFD) on board for each person while in Tauranga Harbour.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council's guide for safe use of the harbour stated it was a legal requirement for everyone to wear a PFD in all situations where there was a heightened risk and Mr Ryan believed that would have applied on the night of the accident.

Mr Mair should have been aware of the requirement as he was the skipper of a boat using the harbour, Mr Ryan said.

"This responsibility was even greater, given that he was carrying passengers.

"Mr Mair has paid the greatest penalty for failing to observe best practice, if not legal requirements, for the safe operation of a pleasure boat."