An experienced Tasmanian boatie who disappeared at sea was most likely trying to clean himself after an episode of incontinence when he fell overboard and drowned, a coroner has found.
Kerry Selwyn Frankcombe, 75, died between September 10 and 11, 2023, at Port Sorell.
The retired fitter and turner was a strong swimmer who had held a motorboat licence since 1988.
He left home about 7am on September 10 and towed his six-metre vessel to the boat ramp at Port Sorell.
Frankcombe told his wife, a paramedic returning from a shift, that he planned to test the engine and fish and expected to be back in about three hours.
He set out alone about 8:30am into choppy seas. The water temperature that night was about 12 degrees.
When he did not return, his wife asked friends to check the ramp.
His car was there, but he and his boat were gone. She reported him missing to police.
Air, marine and dive crews searched extensively. His empty vessel was found drifting about 12 nautical miles offshore. His body was never recovered.
The boat was seaworthy and showed no suspicious circumstances.
Frankcombe’s flotation device and clothing were found on board, the clothing soiled with faeces.
Coroner Leigh Mackey found he likely removed his clothing and the device to clean himself in the water, then could not climb back aboard.
The vessel had no railings, ropes or boarding points.
Mackey found that given the cold water, sea conditions and his age, he was unlikely to survive beyond daylight on September 11.
Checks through June 2025 found no sign he was alive.
The death was ruled accidental, caused by probable drowning.
