Coroner Nerida Wilson delivers findings into 2019 Torres Strait Pana Boy boating tragedy

Torres Strait leaders have called for critical changes after five people vanished from their boat in 2019. The coroner has now delivered her findings into what went wrong on that fateful day.

A TORRES STRAIT leader has called for greater mobile connectivity and marine safety infrastructure following the release of coronial findings into the tragic deaths of five people off Badu Island.

It was 3pm on July 31, 2019, strong winds had whipped up a 2m swell.

Charles Elisala chatted with the group of five on board the boat Pana Boy as they filled up jerry cans in preparation for their journey across the open waters of the Torres Strait from Badu Island to Dauan Island.

He was the last person to see alive Donald Mooka, 44, his son Claude, 9, Alan Maka Bigie, 22, Gina Laiana Precilla Dilaila Gaidan-Banu, 21, and Telcy Patricia Elizabeth (Illyzaveth) Mooka, 21.

The empty Pana Boy, after being recovered on August 1, 2019.

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Northern Coroner Nerida Wilson on Monday delivered the results of her investigation into the group’s disappearance, finding that all five were presumed drowned at sea on July 31, 2019.

The group had set off that morning on a 174km journey from Seisia Jetty to Dauan Island in the vessel Pana Boy, an open style “banana boat”.

They stopped at Badu Island about 3pm, where they told Mr Elisala they were intending to continue on to Dauan Island but were never seen again.

During their journey, the weather deteriorated and as night fell, there were heavy winds up to 30 knots and high seas, conditions to which the Pana Boy was unsuited, Ms Wilson found.

By 10pm that evening, the group had not arrived at the island and were reported missing by family and the community.

Five people were seen leaving Badu Island in the Torres Strait.

A search and rescue operation began and about 1.30pm the following day, the upturned boat was discovered in waters south west of Dauan Island.

Personal items, emergency equipment and debris were located over a period of time, but none of the bodies have ever been recovered.

Ms Wilson said safety equipment, including life jackets, flares, and EPIRB were available to those on board the vessel, but that it was clear the adult life vests were not worn at all for the duration of the voyage.

Proof of life checks have been conducted and inquiries failed to reveal any activity, Ms Wilson said.

“I find that at, or soon after 7.54pm, and within a 20km radius of Saibai Island, the Pana Boy became swamped by waves and capsized in the rough conditions throwing all occupants from the boat,” Ms Wilson ruled.

Dauan Island in the Torres Strait.

Ms Wilson extended her “sincerest condolences” to the families of Donald, Claude, Allan, Gina and Telcy, “and all Torres Strait communities involved in this devastating tragedy”.

“Local communities continued to search for many weeks after the official search was called off, in the hope of recovering their loved ones. Their loss is irreplaceable,” Ms Wilson said.

Torres Strait Island Mayor Phillemon Mosby said the report was “very confronting” for his people, especially for the community of Dauan.

“We are a seafaring people, and are taught from a young age to be great mariners,” he said.

“However, this can be at times no match for the many factors impeding safe passage in our region, such as extreme weather, complex topography, poor mobile connectivity, and lack of proper safety equipment.”

Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland Officer in Charge of Gulf of Carpentaria Peter Graham. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

“We will also include these (coronial) findings in our advocacy work with both the federal and state governments, continuing our key messaging for greater connectivity in our region, compliant marine infrastructure and further support for marine safety education and our localised rescue response teams”.

VMR Gulf of Carpentaria officer-in-charge Peter Graham also agreed with recommendations made by Ms Wilson including calls for a better telecommunications network and marine safety education.

“Traditionally they have travelled by sea, they all consider themselves to be the world’s greatest seaman but now with powered vessels once they’re out of fuel they are stuck,” he said.

“It’s the busiest sailing search and rescue area in Australia but the most under resourced.”

Originally published as Coroner Nerida Wilson delivers findings into 2019 Torres Strait Pana Boy boating tragedy