Worksafe investigating hotel that leant Appelbee family kayak, paddleboards
Worksafe confirmed it was carrying out preliminary investigations into the Dunsborough hotel, which rented a canoe and two paddleboards to the Appelbee family on the day they were swept out to sea by rough conditions.
The watchdog said in a statement that it was aware of the incident and was “currently conducting a preliminary investigation.”
The family says they hope the hotel will recognize their loss as they drift 14 kilometers out to sea during the grueling eight-hour journey on Friday.
“As time went on I thought, why didn’t anyone come, and then I thought, well, the hotel is going to set off the alarm because obviously we didn’t sign a contract.” [the kayak and paddleboards] when we got back… well three or four hours later they were coming looking for us, so we’re all good,” mother Joanne said on Tuesday.
Joanne’s younger son Beau, 12, also claimed that the coastguard told hotels in the area not to rent water equipment that day due to weather conditions.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the highest wind recorded in the area that day was a 57km/h wind from the south-west at 12.30pm, which coincided with when the family started to run into trouble.
In a statement, Club Wyndham Dunsborough said the family was grateful for their safe rescue and acknowledged 13-year-old Austin’s incredible swim to shore for help.
“Since our guests were able to use the facility equipment free of charge until late in the day, our staff had no reason to panic,” the statement said.
“Guests are aware that the beach is off resort property, is unsupervised and there are no direct views of the beach from the property.
“However, naturally the facility is conducting a safety review to minimize the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future.”
Joanne suggested that hotels might consider renting dry bags so their guests can take their cellphones out into the water.
