A Coroner reporting on the death of an Invercargill woman has recommended that seatbelts be worn on high-speed racing boats.
Lynley Burnett died from chest wounds on 6 July last year, four days after being thrown from a boat during a race on Lake Waihola near Dunedin.
The Otago-Southland Coroner, David Crerar, says the boat most likely overturned because it was damaged by striking a rock six months earlier.
Evidence was given during the inquest that there was no ambulance at the lake and two paramedics present were off-duty.
In his inquest report released on Friday, Mr Crerar says the Boat Marathon Commission should consider fitting seatbelts to boats and event organisers should be made to consult with St John Ambulance so that adequate rescue staff and equipment are on-site.
