No life-jacket and uncontrolled dogs contributed to fatal canoe accident

The presence of two uncontrolled dogs in an open canoe was probably a contributory factor in a fatal accident in Kenmare Bay last year, according to marine safety inspectors.

An official report into the incident, which resulted in the drowning of a local man, claimed “boisterous” behaviour by the animals compromised the canoe’s stability and played a role in it overturning.

An inquiry by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board also found the victim and another man in the vessel were not wearing lifejackets and had undertaken the journey in adverse weather conditions with near gale force winds.