The subsequent Court of Marine Inquiry found that Lake Illawarra was capable of passing beneath the bridge's central navigation span, but the captain instead attempted to pass through one of the eastern spans, due to a combination of strong tidal currents and inattention.
The subsequent Marine Inquiry concluded that Lake Illawarra could pass beneath the bridge's central navigation span, but the captain chose to navigate through one of the eastern spans because of strong tidal currents and lack of focus.