The outcome of last week's inquest into the death of powerboat fatality, Stuart Smith, was "bitter-sweet" for the Bermuda Power Boat Association.

While the conclusion that Smith died "by misadventure" absolved the club of any blame or negligence during last year's Round the Island race, the hour-long inquest was the final heart-wrenching chapter in a tragedy which BPBA members will hardly forget.

"It's bitter-sweet because we've been vindicated as far as our safety is concerned but we still remember Stu and what happened out there," said BPBA president Chris Roque.

Smith (34) lost his life when the catamaran he was co-piloting flipped and landed upside down in the waters off South Shore last August 18 amid the BPBA's annual showpiece. An autopsy revealed the New Zealand expatriate suffered a broken neck, a ruptured aorta and multiple injuries.

The inquest was some closure for Smith's former boss, Michael Araujo, who piloted the ill-fated vessel.

"Yes, sure (it's closure). We'll never forget him but it's nice to close these sad memories; this sad ordeal," said the 37-year-old who was also quietly pleased with the ruling.

"It was good to know that the judge had no problem with our safety procedures and neither did the marine police. They were impressed with the way things were handled; the condition of the boat and all the safety equipment."

Inspector Phil Taylor of the Coroner's Office confirmed to The Royal Gazette that there were no accusations of blame arising from the inquest.

"None, not at all . . . (the finding was) just that there was a freak wave and it was an unfortunate accident. That was basically it.

"(Smith's) invisible injuries were outlined at the inquest . . . he succumbed to those. There was no life virtually immediately," said Taylor, explaining the evidence.

Roque disclosed the Association received a few recommendations out of the inquest but "nothing we weren't already working on . . . not a whole lot.

"It was basically a message like 'Don't slip up on anything you're already doing'."

Araujo, who informed Smith's family in New Zealand of the findings, said they too are happy the issue has been put to rest.

"They were glad to hear the matter has come to an end over here. This is closure for them too though they had his funeral a long time ago," he noted.

For Araujo, however, there are certain other things to deal with before he can truly let go of the nightmare that cost him a dear friend. These include selling the boat in which they crashed and rehabilitating his right forearm which was badly injured in the incident.

"It's doing extremely well. It's not totally healed but it has started to knit together. I've begun therapy and it's feeling a lot better than in the past," he said of his arm which has undergone a series of operations.

Meanwhile, Roque said another fundraising dinner will be held this summer to benefit Smith's young son, Connor. The event will coincide with the annual Round the Island race on August 10 and will also mark the one-year anniversary of Smith's passing.