Inexperience factor in death: report

A father's lack of experience in crossing bars contributed to the death of his 2-year-old daughter after his boat capsized at Taieri Mouth, a Maritime New Zealand report has found.

On April 3, 2021, emergency services were called to reports of a boat having capsized as it attempted to cross the bar at the mouth of the Taieri River about 1pm.

The report said the boat had a family of five on board and the father was the skipper and owner of the boat.

While two children and the adults were able to escape the vessel, the skipper’s 2-year-old daughter was trapped.

Rescuers brought her to shore, but she was unable to be resuscitated.

The Maritime New Zealand investigation found the skipper took some appropriate precautions by checking the vessel and weather and ensuring that life jackets were worn.

While he tried to follow previously obtained local knowledge, other preparations were lacking when it came to the bar crossing, the report found.

The skipper failed to research the effects of tides on the bar and did not read the highly visible warning signs at the boat ramps, which warned of the danger of bar crossings, especially at low and ebb tides.

On the day of the incident, low tide was at 2.50pm.

The report concluded the incident appeared to be caused by a lack of experience in crossing the Taieri Mouth bar.

"Tidal conditions were not considered prior to launch but a more experienced skipper would likely have crossed the bar safely in the conditions shown on video footage," the conclusion said.

The report analysed footage from a camera set up by Dunedin Marine Search and Rescue, which was supplemented by witness interviews as the video cuts away, right before the capsize happened.

The boat had appropriately trimmed its sails for shallow water as it approached the bar, the report said.

The video showed steerage and momentum would have been sufficient for the skipper to turn and cross waves as the boat approached the bar, but witnesses said they saw the boat go vertical before it capsized, which suggested had been positioned directly into the waves when the capsize happened.

In any other position, the vessel would have been pushed sideways and have rolled, the report said.

The camera is now linked to a live feed so boaties can check the conditions before heading out.

Police investigated the incident and decided on no further action, the report said.