Great Barrier Reef tour operators association welcome investigation into Adrian Meyer’s death

Great Barrier Reef tour operators have defended their safety record but vowed they will implement any findings following the death of a South Australian retiree who was swept away in a strong current along with dozens of others.

Adrian Meyer, pictured with wife, Rosalyn, was a "staunch environmentalist" and enthusiast snorkeller, family say.

A peak tourism body has welcomed investigations into a man’s harrowing death on the Great Barrier Reef last week, vowing to listen to any findings or recommendations, if any are handed down.

Retiree Adrian Meyer, 71, died last Monday after being swept away in a strong current along with dozens of other passengers swimming near Norman Reef, around 60 kilometres northeast of Cairns.

A rescue vessel that attempted to retrieve Mr Meyer sank.

His body was then retrieved from the water and rushed to tour company Reef Experience’s main vessel.

A rescue helicopter lowered a paramedic onto the boat soon after to assist first responders before the South Australian tourist was declared dead.

Mr Meyer’s cause of death is yet to be determined and it is under investigation by the Northern Coroner.

But the Association of Marine Park Tour Operators CEO Gareth Phillips said the industry would listen to any findings or recommendations, if any are handed down.

“We strive for zero incidents,” Mr Phillips said.

“If there are changes that need to be made, we will adopt those extremely quickly.

“This is awful for the family, the passengers and the crew on board. We do everything we can to prevent these kinds of things.

“They are always extremely unpleasant situations.”

A Reef Experience boat moored at the Cairns Marlin Marina. Picture: Brendan Radke.

Mr Phillips said the industry was already subject to strong safety regulations but was open to doing more.

“The Great Barrier Reef tourism industry operates under some of the strongest safety regulations in the world,” he said.

“All crews must have resuscitation and First Aid training. There are a whole range of activities that are undertaken before heading out to the reef as well.

“We have to show that we comply with these (in order to operate).

“We are a proven and safe industry but we want to learn from the outcomes of this investigation.”

Police spent four hours taking statements from family members who were aboard the boat when Mr Meyer died last Tuesday afternoon.

It’s understood authorities have also obtained GoPro footage filmed from the water as the tragedy unfolded.

A Facebook image of a Reef Experience boat on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Cairns.

While visiting Cairns last week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk extended her sympathies to Mr Meyer’s family, adding she wanted “to get to the bottom of what happened”.

“We’ve had accounts where people have been deeply distressed so I’ll make sure that we have support available for those people who are on board the vessel,” the Premier said.

“Workplace Health and Safety will be doing a thorough review. I think my understanding is that police were also on hand and there will be a coronial inquest.

“Hundreds of thousands of people go out and enjoy the reef throughout the year, and you don’t want to see that industry jeopardised.

“But we want to get to the bottom of what happened here and to make improvements to ensure it will never happen again.”

More than two million people visit Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef each year.

Reef Experience was contacted for comment.

Last week, a Reef Experience spokesman said: “We are currently assisting the authorities with their investigations and as such we are unable to provide any information relating to the matter at this point in time.”

“We will provide further details as and when they become available.”

Originally published as Great Barrier Reef tour operators association welcome investigation into Adrian Meyer’s death