Coroner warning as man dies following 'taxi boat ride'

Morgan Smith, 21, was helming a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) in Poole Harbour, Dorset, when he collided with a channel marker in the early hours of May 2, 2022.

David Haw, 24, who was also in the boat, was thrown overboard and his body was found 12 days later. 

Smith, from Northampton, had been giving Mr Haw a lift after the two had attended a prize-giving ceremony taking place as part of Poole Regatta.

Smith had been drinking prior to the collision and had been travelling at three times the speed limit when it struck the large metal buoy.

He had also been using his mobile phone to assist with the boat’s navigation. 

David Haw (Image: CPS)
Senior coroner for Dorset Rachel Griffin highlighted in a prevention of future deaths report several concerns around the lack of laws.

She said pleasure vessels such as a RIB are being “used in a manner, and in conditions, that would be very similar to commercial vessels without the same safety mitigation”. 

Mrs Griffin said she is concerned about how there is no law against the use of alcohol or drugs while in charge of a pleasure or private vessel, but there is for commercial ones.

Police and Coastguard at Poole HarbourShe said: “Helming a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs could lead to a future death given the impact alcohol and drugs have upon perception, control, judgement and decision making.” 

The coroner added: “I have concerns that there is a culture of using such support boats as a form of taxi particularly at the social events, albeit not for pecuniary gain.  

“This means they could come under the definition of a pleasure vessel and as those helming these vessels may be in drink, they may not take necessary precautions and safety measures given the lack of regulations.  

Morgan Smith (Image: Dorset Police)

“Further the owner and operator of the vessel may not be aware, as was the case in David’s death, of the use of the vessel in this way, or of the identity of those on board which may result in the vessel falling under the commercial vessel definition for the purposes of those journeys with the appropriate regulations not being followed.” 

Mrs Griffin wrote to the Department for Transport and the Royal Yachting Association with her recommendations. She concluded Mr Haw's death as an unlawful killing.

Smith, meanwhile, is serving three years in jail after pleading guilty to gross negligence manslaughter in November 2023.