A long delay in the rescue of a fisherman from a capsized boat had to be a factor in causing the man's death , a coroner's inquest has been told.
In Whangarei District Court yesterday the inquest continued into the death of Keith James Philpot, 53, of Otaki, who drowned in Doubtless Bay on June 25, 1996.
Mr Philpot was in the Hunky Dory, a 5.5m aluminium boat skippered by Wayne Wills, also known as Bill Hohepa, that capsized near Whatuwhiwhi.
Captain Mike Eno, the chief investigator of accidents with the Maritime Safety Authority, agreed with Colin Carruthers QC, who represents Mr Wills, there was a delay in launching a sea search for the missing fishing party.
Mr Eno agreed that when Mr Philpot was plucked from the sea by rescuers about 10.30pm his death had been recent. Previously during the inquest rescuers said fluid that drained from Mr Philpot's body was still warm.
Mr Carruthers said the emergency position indicating rescue beacon (epirb) was activated by Mr Wills about 2.15pm when Hunky Dory capsized. Mr Wills had encouraged Mr Philpot to stay with the boat but he had decided to try to follow other members of the party and swim to shore.
Mr Wills said he had thrown the epirb after Mr Philpot, hoping it would follow him in the current.
Mr Carruthers said that between 4pm and 10pm there were 10 signals received from the epirb -- seven of which gave about the same co-ordinates over a two-hour period.
Mr Eno said that after an initial sweep by an aircraft, rescue crews were stood down until they were called again about 8pm to start searching offshore.
Mr Philpot was found about 10.30pm.
Mr Wills said that after the boat capsized two of the crew swam ashore. They managed to reach the Karikari Fire Station and phone police.
About two hours later two more men swam ashore. Five minutes later Mr Philpot decided to leave the boat and head for shore against the advice of Mr Wills to stay with the boat.
"He was making his way to shore, then he just stopped swimming and drifted with the current," Mr Wills said.
Mr Wills told the hearing he had supplied all those on the fishing trip with life jackets. Previously rescuers said Mr Philpot had been wearing a life vest and not a lifejacket.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)
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