Tragic Night on Swansea Channel Ends in Young Man's Death
A night of fishing with mates ended in tragedy when an overloaded runabout crashed into a navigation buoy in Swansea Channel, ejecting four young men into freezing waters and claiming the life of 23-year-old Luke Smith.
The skipper, 22-year-old Clancy Muddle, failed to maintain a proper lookout on the evening of July 6 last year, with the boat travelling without life jackets and carrying more passengers than recommended.
Series of Safety Failures Led to Catastrophe
Belmont Local Court heard on Friday how multiple safety breaches contributed to the fatal outcome. Magistrate Stephen Olischlager noted the boat was overloaded both in passenger numbers and weight, which maritime experts said would make the vessel more likely to capsize after impact.
Muddle was seated at the rear of the boat with three passengers in front of him, significantly restricting his view of obstacles ahead. None of the men were appointed to keep watch, and two passengers were facing backward, unable to provide warnings of upcoming hazards.
The court heard the group had launched from Coal Point boat ramp around 5:30pm, fishing and drinking beers near Wangi Wangi before deciding to move to Swansea. After ordering pizza, they were returning to Wangi Wangi when the collision occurred about 600 metres along the channel.
Desperate Search and Legal Consequences
The impact threw all four men into the cold, fast-moving water. One managed to swim to Pirrita Island, while witnesses from another boat at Swansea jetty rescued two others, including Muddle who was found clinging to the overturned vessel.
A massive air and water search involving police and Surf Life Savers failed to immediately locate Mr Smith. His body was discovered nearly two weeks later on July 18 by jet ski riders in the Swansea Channel.
Marine investigators charged Muddle with negligently operating a recreational vessel occasioning death after determining the primary cause was his failure to maintain a proper lookout. He initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty in August.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tom Sands argued the offence was too serious for Muddle to avoid conviction, describing the consequences as catastrophic and emphasizing that maritime rules exist to keep people safe.
Magistrate Olischlager acknowledged Muddle's prior good character and profound remorse but said the only appropriate sentence was imprisonment. However, he found Muddle's rehabilitation prospects would be better served in the community.
The magistrate indicated he would sentence Muddle to a nine-month intensive correction order and adjourned the matter until January to determine if he can serve that period under home detention.
