The three men were just getting there rods out when the wave hit them. A second wave threw them into the water and capsizing the boat.
David Paul Ziems, 53, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on the Sunshine Coast yesterday to unsafe navigation causing death after one of his two passengers died in the incident.
Wallace Galbraith Chapman, 78, could not be revived and his son Simon, 45, was lucky to survive.
Police prosecutor Shane Raison conceded the incident was a tragedy and asked the court to consider a two-year good behaviour bond with a condition that Mr Ziems complete a boat safety course with the water police.
Mr Ziems told police he had been fishing north of Mooloolaba, but drove to Point Cartwright to drift fish.
“He thought he was far enough out from the shoreline as he had not seen any breaking waves,” he said.
“He said he had just enough time to start the motor and turn the boat into the wave when it struck and the boat reared by the bow and took water over the stern.
“He said the motor would not restart, he called for assistance on the radio and set off a flare while getting lifejackets to the passengers.
“The vessel was then struck by another large wave and everyone was thrown into the sea as the boat rolled and submerged.”
Source: Sunshinecoastdaily.com.au
Photo: John Mccutcheon
