Correction: This story has been updated to clarify that a skipper can give permission for no lifejackets on some vessels.
Manurewa carpenter Tēvita Moeakiola drowned on a fishing trip, after his boat capsized near Musick Point in 2022.
A family member and a friend who were with him on the trip were able to survive after swimming back to shore – but Moeakiola didn’t make it. His body was later found floating near the shore.
A photo on social media that the trio had taken on board the boat on the day showed none of the men were wearing lifejackets.
A coroner’s report released on Monday said that Moeakiola was likely not wearing a lifejacket, was inadequately dressed for the conditions, and had no form of waterproof communication devices with him at the time.
Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave concluded that had Moeakiola been wearing a lifejacket, he may have been able to reach the shore with the other survivors.
She also found that if Coastguards were informed of the group’s plans that day, they may have launched a search earlier, if overdue reports were notified to them.
Hand-held VHR radios or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, or mobile phones put in waterproof containers, all may have assisted the group to call for help, said the coroner.
The coroner adopted Maritime New Zealand’s conclusion that the boat was in a sub-standard condition, and that repairs were done to the hull in the months prior to the accident.
She said the boat may not have capsized in the way it did if repairs to the hull had been carried out properly.
“While I am unable to definitively state that, had the above measures been taken, Mr Moeakiola’s death could have been prevented, I can say on the balance of probabilities that the chances of Mr Moeakiola drowning in the manner he did would have been reduced had the above measures been complied with,” said coroner Schmidt-McCleave.
Over two-thirds of boating fatalities may have been prevented if life jackets were worn, said the coroner in her recommendations.
Coastguard and Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) say the tragedy is a serious reminder to boaties.
“Too many of our men – often experienced, capable, confident – are still heading out not wearing lifejackets. We are not invincible. The water is not to be underestimated, and the conditions can take hold fast. Mr Moeakiola was a father, a husband, out fishing for kai with friends. But, he didn’t make it home” said Rob Hewitt from WSNZ.
“Wearing a lifejacket is the simplest and most effective way to reduce drowning fatalities in New Zealand – it’s time to get real about that,” he added.
WSNZ data shows that over the past decade, more than 76 percent of boating related drowning victims were not wearing life jackets, and the majority were men fishing from small boats.
Coastguard’s CEO Carl McOnie said early communication and preparation before a boating trip are also critical, such as logging a trip report with Coastguard.
“This is easily done by calling *500 on a mobile phone, through our Coastguard App or using a VHF radio. We encourage all New Zealanders to do this this summer before heading out,” he said.
Under the current Auckland Navigational Bylaw 2021, it is compulsory to wear a lifejacket on any vessels under six metres – unless the person in charge of the vessel gives permission not to wear one.
