Tas: Inquest findings into drowned fishermen released tomorrow

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Tas: Inquest findings into drowned fishermen released tomorrow

By Don Woolford

HOBART, Aug 25 AAP - A coroner tomorrow will release his findings into how three fishermendied in Bass Strait and whether the search for them by Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR)and Tasmanian police was flawed.

The 24-day inquest into the fishing boat Margaret J and its occupants, two of whosebodies were eventually found washed up on islands 250km further east than originally anticipated,ended in Burnie last December.

It has taken coroner Don Jones nine months to complete his findings.

Ron Hill, 64, Kimm (Kimm) Giles, 41, and Robert Kirkpatrick, 48, left Stanley in Hill's11-metre stormcat Margaret J, a former tourist seal-spotting boat, on April 9 last yearfor an Easter fishing expedition.

Four days later a search began when they were reported overdue.

It was suspended after three days, but resumed for another two after the Margaret Jwas found sunk in about 12 metres of water on April 17.

Police divers were unable to refloat it, but ensured there were no bodies on board.

The search was finally resumed - this time at the eastern end of Bass Strait - aftera private salvage firm brought the Margaret J back to Stanley and found evidence froma cut rope that a life raft had been launched.

On May 2 a searching plane found the life raft and Mr Giles' body on Prime Seal Islandin the Furneaux group.

Mr Hill's body was found on nearby Flinders Island while no trace was found of Mr Kirkpatrick.

Among the questions raised during the inquest were:

* Whether, given the prevailing currents and the advice of local fishermen, the searchshould have been further east from the outset.

* Whether the police divers should have realised the life raft had been launched.

* How AusSAR and the police communicated with each other over the search.

Mr Jones' findings probably won't be the end of the matter.

A Senate committee last year decided to investigate the tragedy, but put its inquiryon hold until the inquest was completed.

AAP dw/cdh/sb

KEYWORD: MARGARET