Three fishermen have been identified after being found dead in a tragic boating incident off the coast of Beachport in south-east South Australia. The trio, identified as Les DeMamiel, 74, Russell Fisher, 67, and John McKenzie, 65, were reported missing at 2.30pm on Sunday, prompting a large-scale police search that ended with the discovery of their bodies.
Ignored Warnings of Dangerous Conditions
Local residents have revealed that the fishermen were warned about hazardous weather conditions before embarking on their trip. According to reports from The Advertiser, conditions were described as horrible, with swells reaching up to 3 metres high. Despite these warnings, the group proceeded with their fishing expedition.
Safety Gear Not Worn
Superintendent Trent Cox confirmed that while safety equipment, including life jackets, was present on the boat, none of the fishermen were wearing them at the time of the incident. "Our early investigations indicate that while they did have life jackets on board, they weren't wearing them, none of them were wearing them," Cox stated. He described the outcome as "a tragic end to what should have been a pretty standard trip for these gentlemen."
Cox emphasised that the men made a "poor decision" and "paid the price" for not adhering to safety protocols. The boat, a Bar Crusher model owned by one of the fishermen's sons, was later found deep in sand approximately 4 kilometres south of Beachport on Monday. Rescue crews, police, and local volunteers used shovels and a tractor to salvage the vessel.
Local Community Reacts with Grief
Beachport Boat Yard manager Clint Sneath, who has lived in the town for 35 years, expressed his sorrow and frustration over the preventable tragedy. "These people probably didn't understand the conditions … and they can cause death," Sneath said. He explained that tides in the area can change dramatically within minutes, making conditions particularly treacherous.
"Over the years there's been a lot of drownings and it's never nice. It always brings up emotions, but it's avoidable," Sneath added. He confirmed that the fishermen had been warned before going out, stating, "They were warned about it and did it anyway, now this is the consequence."
Final Moments with Friends
Beachport residents Dot Hill and her husband Burt, who were close friends of Les DeMamiel, shared their memories of the fishermen. Hill described DeMamiel as "the most amazing person" and said all three were "absolutely beautiful people." She recalled spending her final time with them on Saturday, enjoying a "lovely" dinner together.
"They arrived Saturday morning and a cray pot had been dropped at our house and Les and the boys came to pick it up before they went out and dropped the cray pots in," Hill explained. "Burt said to them … that we'd catch up for a drink with them later at the Tavern and at about 4.15pm, we arrived and were met with big cuddles and kisses, just as good friends do."
Hill added, "It was such a lovely time to spend time with these boys … and that was really, really good for me and for Burt, just to spend that time together with them."
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are continuing their investigation into what caused the boat to turn over. The circumstances surrounding the capsizing remain unclear as police work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this fatal outcome.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of heeding weather warnings and wearing appropriate safety gear when engaging in maritime activities, particularly in regions known for rapidly changing conditions.
