NONE OF the 10 people on board a small boat was wearing life belts when it overturned while making a night-time crossing to an island off the west Cork coast, an inquest into the death of one passenger heard yesterday.
Swiss national, Alain Adler (56) was one of a group of 10 friends who were thrown into the sea when their boat was swamped by waves while making its way from Colla Pier to Coney Island in Schull Harbour early on December 5th 2008.
Philip Doherty from the Marine Survey Office at the Department of Transport said he had tested the boat and found that while it was safe to carry 10 in calm waters, it was unsuited to rough waters as water levels came within 170mm of the transom.
Boat owner Michael McGill (64), a dentist from Newry who lives in Switzerland, told the inquest into Mr Adler’s death how he had invited a group of Swiss friends to see his home on Coney Island in Schull Harbour on December 4th, 2008.
They arrived at Colla Pier just after midnight and although the weather was rough he believed it was acceptable to make the 850m (½ mile) crossing to the island in the 5.6m-long Swiss army boat as he would be in the shelter of the island all the way.
He told his friends he had lifejackets in his van but no one took up the offer, said Mr McGill who also confirmed that he did not have any VHF radio or flares on board the boat, which he used to travel to the island.
The crossing was relatively calm but when they were 25m from the island, the 30hp engine cut out and they replaced it with a spare 8hp engine but started to drift out into the channel and could make no progress against the strong winds.
They decided to alter course and head with the wind for Long Island but they were hit by one wave broadside, then a second wave came over the back and people stood up which caused the boat to flip and they were thrown into the water.
Mr Adler and another man, Giles Ferreux, were swept away after spending more than 30 minutes in the water.
Mr McGill and the others made it ashore at Long Island where they were joined by Mr Ferreux who had managed to raise the alarm.
Mr Adler’s body was washed up on Long Island and Asst State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said she found no traces of alcohol in his system and that he died from cardio-respiratory failure due to drowning associated with hypothermia.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.