A harrowing boating incident that claimed the life of two men would not have occurred if they were wearing inflated lifejackets when the vessel capsized, a coroner says.
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Anthony Edward Long and Anthony John Benneworth died after jumping from a sinking boat at Ansons Bay on March 10, 2018.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart released her findings into the "sad and yet unnecessary deaths" of Mr Benneworth and Mr Long on Monday.
Ms McTaggart said the deaths again highlighted the importance of knowing the inflation process for the lifejacket being worn.
"Secondly, the deaths of the two men would not have occurred if several basic aspects of maintenance of the boat had been remedied," she said.
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Kedge Pty Ltd marine surveyor Peter Keyes examined the vessel and found it showed signs of not being well-maintained for some time, in particular an extensively corroded fuel filter.
Mr Keyes outlined several issues with the boat that likely contributed to it taking on water and capsizing, including the bilge pump not working.
Guy McKibben and Mr Benneworth went fishing with Mr Long on his Savage 525 Osprey on the day in question.
The friends fished about 300-metres from the shore, with Mr Long motoring back to the starting point three times after drifting.
But on the third trip the boat thumped on the crest of a swell and, shortly after throwing in the anchor and starting to fish again, the men noticed water in the corner of the boat.
Mr McKibben and Mr Benneworth suggested they head back to shore and started removing the water with an ice-cream container.
Mr Long wasn't wearing a life jacket, but his two friends told him to get it on.
"He started to panic a bit. He seemed a bit here, there and everywhere," Mr McKibben said in an affidavit.
"We asked him to call his brother on the marine UHF. I think he had it on the wrong channel because he couldn't raise anyone.
"We told him again to put his life jacket on."
The boat's steering failed and water quickly consumed the vessel, so the three men jumped out, but Mr Long wasn't wearing a lifejacket.
Mr McKibben started swimming to shore to get help.
"We had only been in the water for two or three minutes and Benneworth was saying 'it's not inflating, it's not inflating, I think I'm in trouble' and he sounded quite panicked," Mr McKibben said.
Mr Benneworth's lifejacket was found to be in good condition when inspected after the incident, with Ms McTaggart finding if it had been inflated properly it would've activated.
"Mr Long, also in a state of panic, did not put on his life jacket at all, even though he was told several times that he should do so," she said.
"I acknowledge the efforts of all persons who went to the aid of Mr Benneworth and Mr Long. In particular, the efforts of Mr Brendan Groves deserve mention."