Fault behind sailor's death happened before - inquest

A faulty mechanism which resulted in an inflatable navy boat flipping over and trapping a sailor underwater had malfunctioned the previous day, an inquest was told today.

Able seaman Byron Solomon drowned when the boat capsized as it was being launched from the navy ship HMNZS Canterbury during a training exercise off the north east of Cape Reinga on October 5, 2007.

A navy inquiry found a hook used to attach a boatrope from the inflatable boat to the ship was faulty and similar hooks were replaced throughout the navy.

Commander Tony Millar, AB Solomon's commanding officer when he was killed, told Coroner Brandt Shortland the same sort of hook had malfunctioned the previous day on the ship's starboard side, which is why they were operating from the port side that day.

Cdr Millar would not comment further on why the mechanism had not worked properly, saying he preferred an expert to go into the details.

He said AB Solomon was a fine sailor and a good man.

The inquest, attended by many members of AB Solomon's family, is expected to last two days.

- NZPA