Fatal alcohol concerns in Poole Harbor raised by coroner

A coroner has raised concerns over the death of a sailor who was on board a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) which crashed into a navigation buoy.

David Haw, 24, from Newick, East Sussex, fell into Poole Harbour, Dorset, in May 2022 and was found dead 12 days later.

RIB helmsman Morgan Smith, from Northampton, was later jailed for three years for gross negligence manslaughter.

However, Dorset Senior Coroner Rachael Griffin said she was concerned that it was “not illegal to operate a pleasure boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs”.

Smith, who was 19 at the time, drank for several hours at social events at the end of the Poole Regatta on Sunday May 1, a court previously heard.

Shortly after midnight, he offered to board the RIB to take five people home.

Mr Haw and another passenger were catapulted into the water when Smith hit the metal buoy at more than 30 knots (35 mph) – three times the port speed limit – the court was told.

The second man swam back to the boat, but Mr Haw could not be found.

Smith’s conviction in November 2023, Judge Cockerill said the defendant admitted that such RIB trips occurred regularly.

Write a Report on preventing future deathsThe coroner said: “I am concerned that there is a culture of using such support boats as a form of taxi, particularly at social events… Those who operate these vessels may be in condition drunk.”

She said RIBs defined as recreational vessels may not be governed by alcohol consumption rules for commercial vessels.

Ms Griffin added that she had other concerns about the lack of safety briefings, life jackets and guidance at regattas on the use of the RIB.

Its report gives the Department of Transport and the Royal Yachting Association until February 14 to respond.