Double tragedy claimed sailors

Two accomplished sailors who were inseparable friends died in two tragic accidents on the water, an inquest heard.

The bodies of Mr Michael Palmer (62) and Mr Mick Hall (67) were found in the River Deben, near Felixstowe Ferry, after a search on November 11.

An open verdict was returned on Friday at the inquest into their deaths, but one of Mr Palmer’s two sons, Mr Robert Palmer said: “There is evidence that one fell from the boat, though we don’t know which one, and the other went to their aid.”

Mr Robert Palmer (33) who lived with his father at Fiskerton Wharf, said the families could now seek to move on and were relieved there had not been a verdict of misadventure.

“They clung to life and didn’t give up easily,” he said.

Over a pint, the weekend sailors were known to tease each other as to who was the better sailor and this was their last voyage of the year.

They had regularly navigated Mr Palmer’s yacht, Marlin, from its berth at Fiskerton Wharf down the inland waterways and along the coast to reach Felixstowe — their usual port of call.

They are known to have fetched their next day’s breakfast of smoked kippers and were heading back to the Marlin when the tragedy happened.

The dinghy they were returning on, still with the fish inside, was found at 10am the next morning and their bodies were discovered a short time later.

Mr Palmer said: “It was a trip they did every year. They were skilled sailors. My dad was a water baby, he had been sailing his whole life.

“Mick took it up later, but was a qualified yacht master.

“It’s all very tragic and could have happened to anyone.”

Mr Palmer senior, an accountant, and Mr Hall, a plumber from Halloughton Road, Southwell, became friends because of their shared passion for sailing.

Their bodies were found after harbourmaster Mr John White launched a search on the morning of November 11.

He was alerted after the discovery of the dinghy with an outboard motor washed up by the tide, sparking fears the sailors may have got into difficulties.

At the time of their deaths, Mr White said they may have died after one fell into the water and the other drowned trying to save him.

The inquest, at Endeavour House, Ipswich, heard how the pair had been drinking.

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean recorded open verdicts, saying there were unanswerable questions.

He said: “It is likely these were tragic accidents that took place, but we don’t know how the deaths occurred.

“We do not know how they came to be in the water or how this double tragedy occurred.

“This was a situation of two very tragic accidents.”