The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the report of its investigation into a man overboard fatality from a research vessel in the Coral Sea. An off-duty crewmember was skylarking on deck at night while under the influence of alcohol when he fell overboard. Lifebuoys were thrown into the water, the ship was stopped, and the fast rescue craft was launched. The lifebuoys were recovered, but the crewmember was not found, despite an extensive search. The ship had had a no-alcohol policy, but it was not consistently and effectively enforced.
(Source: Holland & Knight)