Coroner calls for bravery awards for trio who tried to save sailor Ricki Makin off Redcliffe

A coroner investigating a fatal yacht racing accident has called for mandatory life jacket rules after hearing how rescuers nearly perished saving their mate.

A coroner has recommended bravery awards for three people who tried to save Rickie Makin after he fell off the Lady Helena and drowned in 2020 off Redcliffe.

A coroner says three people who nearly died while trying to save a man who drowned in a training run for the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race in 2020 deserve bravery awards.

Rickie Makin was only 44 when he died in the Kingfisher Night Race Series off Redcliffe on March 7, most likely as a result of being hit on the head with a boom and falling overboard in rough seas.

An inquest heard two people “heroically’’ jumped overboard as daylight was failing in a desperate attempt to save Mr Makin, while another crew member who had a fractured arm valiantly tried to haul him back on board.

“(Their) efforts entering rough seas in the attempted rescue of the deceased, to the point where they’re near exhaustion, clearly warrant a nomination for a bravery award,’’ coroner Don Mackenzie said.

The event was close to being called off as winds were gusting from 25 to 30 knots.

A gale warning, which would have seen the race called off, is triggered by winds of 33 knots or more.

Rickie Makin died after falling overboard during a training race off Redcliffe. Picture: Facebook

Mr Mackenzie delivered his recommendations in Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 31, including changes to the Transport Operations Marine Safety Act to mandate the wearing of inflatable vests at all times.

Only half of the six crew on board the Lady Helena at the time of the accident were wearing life jackets.

A litany of problems, including damage to the winch and starboard stanchions, the loss of the halyard and damage to the danbuoy (which marks the location of a person after they fall overboard), meant the experienced crew could not save the young sailor.

A rope thrown overboard also became entangled in the rudder, crippling the vessel, and those on board could not grasp life rings because of a lack of attachment points.

It prompted Mr Mackenzie to also recommend mandatory, regular man overboard drills using lifelike mannequins.

The Lady Helena at Coast Guard, Redcliffe. Picture: Attila Csaszar

He said compulsory man overboard protocols were needed because a may day was not issued for 39 minutes.

Instead, in that time the crew tried multiple times to haul Mr Makin back on board.

Mr Mackenzie said the boat was only 14 years old at the time and seaworthy.

Its owner was highly experienced and had competed in about 20 Brisbane to Gladstone races since 1992.

Mr Mackenzie said peak body Australian Sailing should direct its members and affiliates to ensure high-quality life jackets with attachment points were worn at all possible times.

Another key recommendation was that Australian Sailing instruct its members that skippers had responsibility for conducting regular drills with life-size, weighted mannequins.