Captain Bill Estill was speaking at the inquest into the death of three people in Whitby last year, who died when their boat capsized in rough seas.

The passengers were not wearing proper lifejackets and their radio may not have been able to pick up distress calls, the inquest was told by witnesses.

Andrew Carrick (45), his partner Jill Russell (48), and brother John Carrick (36) died when their boat Last Call overturned in a force eight gale on 23 November.

Capt Estill, who has been harbourmaster in Whitby for 17 years, was asked by coroner Richard Watson at the Scarborough inquest if there was any legislation relating to life-saving equipment, radios and training for boats like the 24ft cabin cruiser belonging to Andrew Carrick.

"As far as I am aware there is not," said Capt Estill.

"In my view I would like to see that area tightened up."

He praised the lifeboat crew who tried to stop the vessel from going out and launched an immediate rescue attempt.

"I have been harbourmaster in Whitby for 17 years and I have never seen the lifeboat crew move so quickly to get the boat out of the harbour.

"It was an exemplary exercise."

The inquest heard how an off-duty police officer from Bedfordshire desperately tried to warn the three about the terrible conditions.

"I was running down the pier with my dogs trying to get their attention as I just felt I had to do something. They didn't see me," said Sgt Peter Fitzgibbon

"I watched the boat hit two or three waves then it went absolutely vertical and two people fell out the back."

Andrew and John Carrick were picked up by the lifeboat and Jill Russell was winched aboard an RAF Sea King helicopter. All three were pronounced dead in hospital.

The inquest was adjourned until 16 July.

Full inquest report - click here