Coxswain fined after boat collides with snorkeller
PAUL Page Taylor, 52, was fined $3500 in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday after his boat collided with a snorkeller in the sea near Hayman Island.
The court heard how Taylor, who was charged with contravening marine safety in a domestic commercial vessel, had been returning to the marina at about 9.40am on November 12 last year and took a shortcut across where the snorkellers were.
"The boat struck the victim on the arm causing fractures and severe injuries and she had to be airlifted to Townsville Hospital," police prosecutor Elizabeth Smith said.
"The defendant didn't have any radio communication (to let him know they were there) and he said he just didn't see her in the water."
Magistrate Simon Young said the experienced coxswain had demonstrated remorse and the incident must have had a personal impact on him.
"It was clearly an accident and any conscientious coxswain would have been affected by it," he said.
