Remember the safety guidelines when fishing. Photo/ file
Fishermen are being urged to follow safety guidelines after a man who drowned after slipping off rocks was found "heavily intoxicated" when the tragic incident occurred.
Chanel Rex Tiatia, 27, died after falling into a blowhole while looking for a place to fish in the dark near Paikea Bay, north
of Piha Beach two years ago.
His body was recovered by surf lifesavers about 200 metres offshore at around 7.30am that same day.
Findings from a coroner's investigation showed that while alcohol may not have caused Tiatia's death, it significantly increased his risk.
"Excessive alcohol consumption is well known to impair judgment, perception and co-ordination," said coroner Brigitte Windley.
