Bass Strait sailor Stanley Wood 'likely fell from his vessel'

Stanley William Wood was 86 years old at the time of his death while aboard his yacht a 60-foot ketch rigged hard chine motor sailer - the Munyana.

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Mr Wood was reported missing by his friend on December 31, after the pair had shared a phone call while Mr Wood was aboard the vessel on December 26 but lost contact.

During the phone call, Mr Wood told his friend that he was making for Deal Island, in Bass Strait, and he expected to arrive there in the next 48 hours.

After he was reported missing, a search was launched, which included Northern police rescue crews from Tasmania and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

His yacht was eventually found, but rescuers could not determine if Mr Wood was onboard. His body was never found in the search.

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In his determination, Coroner Simon Cooper said he was satisfied by the evidence that Mr Wood was dead, but he could not be certain as to how he died.

"It seems most likely that he fell from his vessel into the waters of Bass Strait, somewhere in the vicinity of Green or Gabo Island...I cannot determine whether he drowned or succumbed to the effects of hypothermia," Mr Cooper said.

Mr Cooper said in light of the death, he would recommend that "all persons operating vessels, either single or shorthanded, offshore carry at all times a registered personal location beacon."

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"I further recommend that all persons operating recreational vessels of any size in any circumstances wear a properly fitted and compliant personal flotation device. "

Mr Wood was born in San Francisco but was an Australian Citizen. At the time of his death he was a widower with no natural children, although he had a step-daughter with his wife. His wife died five years before Mr Wood's disappearance.

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