More than 18 months after a 13-year-old girl died in a boating accident off the New South Wales South Coast, a man has faced court charged over her death.
Alan Whittley entered no plea to charges of negligent operation of a recreational boat causing death, and navigating in a dangerous manner causing death, in Batemans Bay court this morning.
The 31-year-old Melbourne man was the master of a small fishing boat that capsized in rough waters just off Moruya in March last year while attempting a bar crossing.
The teenage girl, from Canberra, was found dead in the hull of the upturned boat. Her body was retrieved by a rescuer from Surf Life Saving NSW.
Five other people onboard the boat, including Mr Whittley, were returned to shore with minor injuries.
The case was first referred to the coroner, but the coroner referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions earlier this year.
The matter has been adjourned until mid-January.
