Inquest into the death of Alan Beeby

Case Number: 2020/125145

Findings Date: 14 September 2023

Magistrate: Erin Kennedy

CORONIAL LAW | maritime safety; safety standards for recreational vessels; certification of recreational vessels; product warnings for recreational vessels; code of conduct for boat brokers; Boating Industry Association; Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee; European Union design standards for recreational vessels; ISO Standards for recreational vessels; Australian Builders Plate standard; EPIRB functionality; Halvorsen motor yachts; certification of imported recreational vessels

Responses

Recommendations

Chair of the Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee

a. To consider what legislative, compliance and enforcement tools can be implemented to ensure domestically built and imported vessels are built to appropriate internationally accepted/endorsed standards and implement those tools;

b. To consider undertaking a review of the Australian Builders Plate Standard and/or consider the adoption of any other certification mechanism, to include broader safety requirements including taking guidance from other jurisdictions for example, in the EU and the USA;

c. To consider the undertaking of a review by an appropriate industry body for the implementation of an industry wide code of practice and accreditation for boat brokers and retailers of imported boats that ensures safety, compliance with standards and full disclosure of information is a central focus of sale; and

d. To consider the undertaking of a national education campaign as to applicable safety standards, the suitability of different boat types and capabilities of such and what is required of brokers upon sale.

Chief Executive Officer Maritime Regulatory Body for each State and Territory

a. That they contact each owner of a Halvorsen 40, 42 and 44 vessel registered in their jurisdiction and alert them to the findings of this inquest. 

Circulating findings

I also direct that the following be contacted and alerted to the findings of this inquest:

a. The minister responsible for maritime safety in each state and territory;

b. The Federal minister responsible for maritime safety;

c. Maritime insurance companies (from the list provided by the BIA);

d. The boating industry press (from the list provided by the BIA);

e. The current broker of Peta Emma (including as to the need to obtain legal advice);

f. The current owner of Peta Emma (including as to the need to obtain legal advice); and

g. The Halvorsen Owners Club.

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