Capsize report recommends life jacket use

WELLINGTON: Few people on board the charter boat Francie that capsized on the Kaipara Harbour bar in 2016, killing eight, were wearing life jackets the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says.

TAIC chief investigator Tim Burfoot said it was likely that only three of the 11 on board were wearing life jackets at the time.

‘‘It’s virtually certain that they would all have had a better chance of survival had they all worn life jackets.

‘‘They would have had an even better chance if their life jackets had been fitted with crotch straps to prevent riding up,’’ Captain Burfoot said.

Conditions at the time of the accident were ‘‘predictably unsuitable’’ when the attempt to cross the bar was made, he said.

‘‘The waves were high, steep, and breaking in several directions, and one of them struck the Francie from behind, causing it to roll heavily and capsize.’’

The commission recommended commercial restrictedlimit vessels should carry life jackets that suited the vessel’s place and type of operation, rather than just how far out it could go.

It also recommended crotch straps should be fitted to life jackets on commercial vessels that operate from bar harbours and off exposed coastlines; and recreational boat users should be encouraged to fit crotch straps to their life jackets. — RNZ