It was an "unwise" decision for a northern Tasmanian man, who drowned just metres from police standing on the shore, to attempt to secure his yacht in a storm, a coroner has found.
Christopher John Brian Baker, 66, drowned while attempting to secure his 33-foot monohull at Deviot in the Tamar River in June 2021 during severe weather conditions.
His yacht, Yarindi III, had come loose from its moorings in front of his house as wind gusts reached speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour.
The experienced sailor and his wife decided to head out in their small dinghy to secure the larger vessel.
When they reached the yacht, it was bucking heavily in the waves, but the husband and wife managed to secure a rope to it and Mrs Baker went aboard.
A large wave caused Mr Baker to drift away from the yacht in the dinghy.
In her findings, Coroner Olivia McTaggart said Mr Baker's wife, Robyn Baker, called 000 from the yacht and observed the dinghy drifting away, moving closer to shore.
"As Mr Baker attempted to re-start the dinghy, another big wave came and overturned the dinghy with Mr Baker in it, " Ms McTaggart said.
Witnesses reported seeing Mr Baker holding onto the upturned dinghy.
Police attended about 30 minutes later and observed Mr Baker still clinging to the dinghy and drifting closer to shore. His life jacket was positioned high above his head.
Police estimated that at one stage, the dinghy was about 10 metres from shore and had drifted close enough that Mr Baker attempted to stand.
The officer attending looked away briefly while talking to a witness and when he turned back, saw that Mr Baker was face down in the water.
He jumped in and dragged Mr Baker — who was unconscious and not breathing — to shore.
Prolonged attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he died at the scene.
No recommendations from coroner
In her findings, Ms McTaggart said Mr Baker drowned during unusually severe weather conditions.
"Whilst it was understandable that Mr and Mrs Baker made the decision to protect their yacht, it was an unwise decision in the circumstances," she said.
She said Mr Baker was wearing an inflatable life jacket which was in good working order but had risen to a position above his head, increasing the risk of drowning.
"The life jacket was not fitted with a crotch strap and was not required by regulation to have a crotch strap," Ms McTaggart said.
"The report received from Marine and Safety Tasmania emphasised that life jackets fitted with crotch straps prevent the life jacket from riding high on the wearer and, as such, increases the protection from drowning."
The investigation also raised the need for increased regulations of moorings but the coroner did not consider it as a sufficient cause of Mr Baker's death.
"Moorings may still move in severe weather events, despite appropriate design and construction," she said.
"Mr Baker's moorings had not previously shown any indication that it was not fit for its purpose and may well have been in good condition.
"Ultimately, Mr Baker made the unfortunate decision to take the dinghy to his yacht, which led to the events causing his death."
The coroner did not make any recommendations.
"I convey my sincere condolences to the family and the loved ones of Christopher John Brian Baker."
