Limerick teenager who drowned in jet ski accident on River Shannon could not swim, report finds

Marine Casualty Investigation Board report said other contributory factors in the death of the 19-year-old was his lack of training in how to operate the equipment, and the impact of falling overboard into cold water

The accident happened just south of the bridge between Killaloe and Ballina in the middle of the river. Picture: Dan Linehan

A fatal drowning incident on the River Shannon two years ago involving a Limerick teenager who could not swim and was not wearing a life jacket occurred when a high-powered jet ski he was operating was going too fast.

An investigation by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) into the jet ski incident on the River Shannon near Killaloe, Co Clare, on May 31, 2023, identified other contributory factors, such as his lack of training in how to operate the equipment, and the impact of falling overboard into cold water.

Although not named in the MCIB report, the victim was Wassiou Ayawe Moran, aged 19, a soccer player with Limerick FC, of Old Clare Street, Limerick City, who had bought the jet ski the previous day.

The report outlined how the Sea-Doo RXT X 300 jet ski, capable of a maximum speed of 108km/h and described by its manufacturer as the “ultimate offshore performance watercraft”, was launched into the river from a slipway south of Ballina, Co Tipperary, about 550m from the location of the fatal incident.

The report said Mr Moran, who could not swim, had given his personal flotation device to one of two teenage girls who joined him on the jet ski, which had a capacity for three passengers.

All three fell off the jet ski while it was seen conducting several “trick manoeuvres” involving sharp turns at high speed, but were able to reboard it.

However, they fell off the jet ski again when it capsized during a sharp left turn just south of the bridge between Killaloe and Ballina in the middle of the river. The two girls were able to swim to safety on a pontoon on the Ballina side of the Shannon.

Mr Moran’s body was recovered from the river after the alarm was raised.

The MCIB noted a Shannon by-law stipulates no vessel should travel at a speed in excess of 5km/h within 200m of a bridge, quay, jetty or wharf, or when passing within 100m of a moored vessel.

The report said the regulation covered the entire area where the jet ski had been operated, including where the casualty was found.

Notices about the by-law are posted on the slipway from where the jet ski had been launched.

The MCIB said the observations from witnesses indicated the casualty had been operating the jet ski “at a speed and in a manner that was too fast for the physical features of the river area".

It said the victim’s ability to judge his speed and surroundings may have been affected by the presence of marijuana in his system, which had been established by an autopsy.

It also observed there were no current legal requirements to register jet skis, although draft Shannon navigation by-laws provide for them to be registered.

The MCIB made several safety recommendations in relation to various authorities, including calling on Waterways Ireland to introduce the draft by-laws, including the mandatory registration of jet skis.

It recommended the Department of Transport review its report as well as an earlier one relating to another incident involving a collision between jet skis in Cashla Bay, Co Galway, in 2006.

It also recommended the introduction of a national mandatory registration system for personal watercraft.

However, the MCIB said it appeared the Department of Transport did not agree with the recommendation, as its response emphasised the importance of personal responsibility and its reliance on the voluntary features of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.

An inquest into Mr Moran’s death at Clare Coroner’s Court in July 2024 recorded a verdict of death by misadventure due to the behaviour of the deceased while operating the jet ski.