THE family of a teenager who tragically drowned in Weymouth harbour say they are ‘deeply disappointed’ that no further review of the harbour’s safety measures has been ordered following an inquest into his death. 

18-year-old Louis Harris, from Dorchester, died when he drowned in the harbour at Custom House Quay last year, coroner Rachael Griffin concluded. However, she presented an open conclusion after no evidence could determine how he ended up in the water. 

Louis was out celebrating his friend’s birthday on February 14, 2016, when he was separated from his friends and went missing after being escorted out of Rendezvous nightclub in Weymouth when a doorman decided he was ‘too drunk’ to be inside. 

His body was found in the harbour just over a month later, on March 15, 2016. 

Louis’s mum Holly Harris spoke out about her concerns over safety measures put in place by the harbour and its lack of barriers, after the death of Louis who she claimed was ‘not a big drinker’ and ‘wouldn’t hurt a fly’. A post-mortem examination found the level of ethanol in Louis’s blood to be double the legal drink-drive limit. 

Giving evidence at the inquest, Mrs Harris said on her inspection of the harbour: “There were no barriers or warning signs, apart from in relation to seagulls.

“Although there are ladders at various intervals, self-rescue is unlikely. Although Louis can never be returned to us, we hope our evidence can show there are things to be done to make the harbour safer.”

Weymouth harbour master Keith Howorth made a response to concerns about the safety of the harbour during the inquest. He said: “There are marked pathways and natural walls which indicate the edge of the harbour. 

“There are also precautions in case someone falls into the water, there are life rings and ladders.”

Mr Howorth said that during his four years as harbour master, there had been one death per year due to someone ending up in the water. Despite this, he said that incidents of people entering the water were very rare. 

A review of the harbour was carried out following Louis’s death, to which Mr Howorth said he did not feel that extra safety measures needed to be put in place. Mrs Griffin decided that as a review had already taken place, she did not feel the need to order a report into the safety measures already provided. 

Family and friends are now left with unanswered questions surrounding the mystery of how Louis ended up in the harbour. Close friend James Trowbridge said that he seemed ‘happy and jubilant’ and ‘just the same old Louis’ whilst in the nightclub with him.

Mrs Harris also spoke out about her worries over the way he was treated by Rendezvous doormen. She said: “He was asked to leave whilst under the influence of drinking, separated from his friends, into very cold weather.

“We don’t understand how someone could be deemed to be too drunk to be inside the nightclub, but not drunk enough to require assistance.”

Rendezvous general manager Keith Treggiden responded by saying he felt his staff made the appropriate decision and had followed relevant procedures on the night. 

In a statement after the inquest, Louis’s family said: “We agree with the conclusion and we understand the reasons for it. 

“But we are deeply disappointed that there is no report to prevent further deaths. We still have serious concerns over the safety in Weymouth harbour. 

“We hope that this will be an opportunity for Louis to be remembered for any positives of this outcome. I know it’s been a year and a half since Louis’ death but for us it is every day.”