A Queensland coroner has urged changes to state marine safety laws to mandate lifejackets with tether points during competitive yacht racing, following a fatal incident off Redcliffe.
Safety Recommendations
Coroner Donald MacKenzie has recommended amending the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016 to require all participants in competitive yacht racing to wear level 150 lifejackets fitted with rescue tether points. The mandate would apply unless it was impractical, unsafe, or for brief adjustment.
He also urged Australian Sailing to direct its members and affiliated clubs in Queensland to enforce the same requirement at all times during races. The recommendation aims to ensure both legislative and on-water compliance, making skippers directly responsible for enforcement.
The coroner further proposed regular man overboard drills using life-sized weighted mannequins or human volunteers to better prepare crews for real emergencies. The training would be designed to address factors that hindered recovery efforts during the fatal incident, such as failed safety equipment and difficulties securing the person overboard.
Background to the Findings
The recommendations stem from the death of crew member Rickie James Makin, 44, during the fourth race of the Kingfisher Night Series near the Redcliffe Peninsula on 7 March 2020. He was not wearing a lifejacket or harness when he fell overboard in rough conditions and could not be recovered despite multiple rescue attempts by fellow crew.
The inquest found that the absence of a tether point made it significantly harder to bring him back aboard. Other issues included the failure of the yacht’s inflatable dan buoy, rope entanglement in the rudder, and a delayed Mayday call.
Bravery Award Nominations
Dr John Chippendale, Glen McKay, and Anne McKay were recommended for bravery award nominations to the Council of the Order of Australia for their rescue attempts in challenging sea conditions.
Published 10-Aug-2025
