The investigating officer into the drowning death of a woman has told a coronial inquest that life-saving equipment, including a defibrillator, oxygen and adrenaline, should be onboard water-based tours.
Detective Sergeant Mark Heading from SA Police gave evidence on day three of the inquiry into the death of international tourist Ardebby Oh Chua, who died on an Adventure Bay Charters sea lion tour at Blyth Island near Port Lincoln in December 2017.
Sergeant Heading also recommended that operators be better trained and a flotation device be available to snorkellers.
He told the Port Lincoln Magistrates Court that snorkellers should be informed of the risks of swimming in open water.
The Adventure Bay Charters owner and operator at the time, Matthew Waller, told the inquest that Ms Chua's death was the most tragic experience of his life but he believed he and his crew gave appropriate support on the day of the incident.
"I don't believe any different decisions would alter the outcome," Mr Waller said.
Mr Waller said staff were provided adequate training including specific safety training days, some of which were conducted during unfavourable weather.
He described his three staff as "excellent". Two were experienced and one had only started on the job the day of the incident.
"We did the best we could," he told the court.
Meanwhile, the Port Lincoln local said he had 30 years of extensive experience working on the water and in the aquaculture industry, beginning on rock lobster boats when he was just 20.
Inexperienced swimmers
Mr Waller was asked by counsel assisting the coroner Emma Roper whether there was an appropriate risk management policy in place prior to passengers arriving at Blyth Island.
Mr Waller said Adventure Bay Charters conducted in-person interviews on-the-day to identify passengers' swimming abilities.
The court heard that there were eight inexperienced swimmers on the tour on the day of the incident.
Mr Waller said a high number of low ability swimmers was not a frequent occurrence back in 2017 but that had since become a precedent.
Ms Roper suggested passengers should have been asked about their swimming capabilities before they were already onboard.
She also suggested the company provided no explanation on the risk of snorkelling in the open ocean prior to boarding the boat.
Mr Waller argued the Sea Lion tour was advertised for "experienced" swimmers only and there was an option to not go into the water.
He also said asking people their level before embarking could, in his experience, give them the opportunity to lie.
Mr Waller said if staff advised on the major risks of snorkelling it could make people more panicked or uncomfortable in the water.
"I believe I added sufficient support to make her [Ms Chua] feel comfortable," he said.
Ms Roper asked whether or not clear instructions were given to the guests if they were to get into trouble.
Mr Waller said passengers were clearly told in a safety briefing to lift their arm, or swim towards a crew member in red if they were in trouble.
Expired resuscitation mask
Tour passengers Professor William Ledger, who is the head of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of New South Wales, and his wife Catherine Ledger, who is a nurse, gave evidence.
Ms Ledger gave evidence that the resuscitation mask she used on Ms Chua was expired with perished elastics.
Mr Ledger said he could not find an EpiPen on board.
There is currently no mandate for South Australian tour companies to have a defibrillator, oxygen, or adrenaline on board.
The inquiry heard Adventure Bay Charters did not have a defibrillator on board when Ms Chua died but has since been fitted with one.
Mr Waller said he had arranged for 10 defibrillators to be purchased for tour operators in the Eyre Peninsula.
Permit zone questions
Disagreement surrounding permit zones continued after David Wilkins, from the Department of Environment and Water, told the court Mr Waller was outside of the mooring zone.
This was disputed by Mr Waller.
"We were not outside our operating limits," Mr Waller said.
Detective Heading told the court the permit zone defined by the department was a safer area than the area where Ms Chua was found.
Mr Wilkins alleged he had held a meeting with Adventure Bay staff to explain the department's requirements including safety and the permit areas.
But Mr Waller disagreed that the specifics of the mooring point on Blyth Island were ever outlined.
Buoyancy vests
Mr Waller was also asked if a buoyancy vest would have prevented the death of Ms Chua.
He said wetsuits had buoyancy and that an added buoyancy of a life jacket could send uncomfortable participants into further panic.
Ms Roper said the inquest could make recommendations about whether legislation should impose legal requirements on business owners who operated recreational swimming activities.
The inquest continues into next week, and will hear from crew members who were present in 2017 during the time of the incident.
