Skipper charged after fatal capsize at Waniora Point, Bulli

A skipper has been charged after the boat he was driving near a reef off Wollongong capsized, leading to the death of one man and the resuscitation of another three.

The skipper of a boat that capsized off the coast of Wollongong late last year, leaving one man dead and three others in a serious condition, has been charged.

On the morning of October 31 last year a boat capsized at Bulli’s notorious Waniora Point, flipping seven men, who were unable to swim, into the water.

A man in his 30s died after the boat capsized off Waniora Point.

Surfers and surf life savers frantically pulled the seven men from the water before taking them to Bulli Beach.

Surf life savers, and an off-duty doctor and nurse on the beach, performed CPR on four of the men. Tragically, one of the men, aged 37, died at the scene.

The three others were revived, with two of the men — aged 39 and 42 — flown to St George and Liverpool hospitals in critical conditions and the other man, aged 32, taken by road to Wollongong Hospital.

Several people required CPR after the boat capsized.

The skipper and owner of the vessel, a 37-year-old man, was treated for minor injuries and underwent mandatory testing, which returned a negative result.

Two other men, aged 38 and 33, were also treated for minor injuries.

Officers from the Marine Area Command and Wollongong Police District began an investigation into the incident under Strike Force Gwyyher.

During the investigations police were told the boat was close to the reef and being struck by waves when it capsized.

Following extensive inquiries, the skipper was issued a court attendance notice about 11am on Friday, for the offence of negligent navigation causing death.

He is due to appear before Wollongong Local Court in February.