Not enough done to try to save man overboard
An investigation into a yachting tragedy in which two men died concluded not enough was done by crew members to save one of the victims after they were knocked overboard.
Nick Saull and Steve Forno died as a result of the incident on the yacht Platino on June 13, 2016.
While Saull was killed on board, Forno fell overboard and was never found.
Maritime New Zealand’s detailed investigation report released yesterday said the yacht’s surviving crew ‘‘did not effectively employ all of the equipment available to them’’.
‘‘At no time during the accident, or the events that followed, was any item thrown overboard [or attempted to be thrown overboard] to provide the crew member in the water with flotation.’’
The Platino, a 20-metre yacht, departed Auckland for Fiji with a crew of five on June 11.
Just over 500 kilometres north of Cape Reinga, the yacht turned dramatically and unexpectedly to starboard. Within seconds the yacht had gone from sailing comfortably to being significantly damaged and effectively out of control, the report said.
‘‘Instantly the boom swung across the stern striking one crew member, killing him instantly. The other fell overboard,’’ the report said.
‘‘All three surviving crew members saw the crew member in the water. However, no form of flotation aid or beacon was thrown overboard at any time in an attempt to improve his ability to remain afloat, or assist in locating him during the search.’’
The investigation and its finding has been labelled by Forno’s family as a ‘‘disgrace’’.
‘‘We knew they’d [surviving crew members] done nothing, we didn’t really know just how incompetent they were,’’ eldest sister Claire Forno said.