Are our boats as safe as we think they are
I offer my sincere sympathy to those who have lost their loved ones recently in boating accidents.
I think in light of the known tragedies that have recently occurred we (boat fishos) must ask our self, is my boat as safe as I think it is.
From what I have read both on here and in the printed media the two men who sadly have lost their lives at Coral bay where both experienced boat fishos and the boat from pictures I have seen appeared to be fairly new and in sound condition.
It has been stated on this site that the boat put out to sea via the south passage at Coral Bay on a day that can at best be described as not ideal for going out beyond the reef via south passage, in fact 2 boats are reported to have turned back because of the conditions of the sea in that area. This is not meant to imply that these fishos where foolish, but clearly some thing has gone seriously and very quickly wrong.
Case 1
To the best of my knowledge the boat has not been found nor has any wreckage of the boat its self been found. I find it puzzling that the boat has not been found because I think we all assume that in a worst case scenario our boats will float either upside down or right side up due to the factory installed floatation material placed under the floor.
As I have said, to my knowledge no trace of the boat has been found as yet despite the large amount of resources used to try and find the men and their boat.
A logical assumption IMO is that the boat has sunk, which is quite surprising. I have assumed that the under floor flotation material is present is sufficient volume to ensure the hull will float even if filled with water.
This assumption appears, at least to me to be wrong dangerously wrong. From memory the waters inside the reef at Coral Bay are quite shallow and I believe that if the hull of the boat was washed to the inside of the reef it would become very easy to spot.
If on the other hand it has been washed outside the reef it gets deep quite quick and may not be found. There has been no EPIRB signal received from the boat, nor has there been any emergency radio signal or sighting of flares.
If the boat was afloat in any attitude the crew (if not incapacitated) could possibly have recovered some sort of emergency device and used it to signal their plight.
None of this happened to my knowledge.
Case 2
A fisho appears to be lost after going fishing in his boat of Mindarie. An extensive search by boats and aircraft has failed to find any trace of the man or his boat, again from reading about the fisho and pictures of his boat show that the man was well skilled in small boat handling and his boat appeared to be in good sea going condition and of sufficient size to handle the prevailing sea state with his skill.
The boat is reported to contain all the required safety equipment EPIRB, flares, life jackets and radio.
None of this equipment appears to have been activated/used.
Again one can assume with some degree of surety that whatever happened, happened very suddenly without any fore warning or insufficient time to avoid the situation.
There has been no sighting of the fisho (so it is reasonable to assume he had no life jacket on) nor any sighting of pieces of boat wreckage. An esky lid has been found which is consistent with the type of esky carried on the boat.
It is reasonable to assume that the boat has sunk, and again if the fisho was not incapacitated at the time of the emergency there has been no chance of getting safety gear out of the boat even if it was floating upside down.
I have a quinine 600 sea sport and I was appalled at the scant bits of polystyrene under the floor when I lifted it to check just how much flotation material was there. I have since added 5 large inflatable rubber rollers and fitted large chunks of foam in all the places I can fit it as well as placing foam under the gunnels in the hope that if it all goes wrong at least the hull will float in some aspect and allow me to cling onto it and get to my safety gear if the boat goes bottom up.
Perhaps it may be time for all of us to ask the question,
if my boat gets swamped will it float and provide me with something to hang onto.
Just a thought.
Swompa
Posts: 3786
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Not really too sure that
Not really too sure that many boats have in built flotation or any wate tight compartments that would keep it afloat.
in most instances, where you see a boat is submerged, but not sunk, it is generally upside down, with the bow above water. If you don't have flotation in the form of a bilge filled with foam, and hit something, at pace damaging the bow, I doubt your boat would float.
I do find it amazing that no significant flotsam has been found in coral bay, moreso with the bloke off Mindarie. Quite a frequented area....could the boat have just kept going west? Hopefully there is an answer sooner rather than later.
Saulty2
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 28/05/10
not passing judgment or speculate
on the latest {tragedies}but would like the amount of distress calls that {just to name 1! rockingham sea rescue} gets during the year to be published, and the reasons why they get called out would make the boating community more aware and responsible.
slam
Posts: 168
Date Joined: 09/09/09
Terrible situations
Terrible situations that have occurred over the last week or so.
It does bring to mind how safe are our boats Meglondon. I have been told i have compartmented water tight areas under my sealed deck that are filled with foam. Unless the deck is completley ripped open or the hull breached all the way along then some areas would remain water tight & hopefully keep the boat afloat to a certain degree. I saw the internal structure being built however did not see them install the deck therefore not knowing if foam was added.
It is kind of a wake up call to all of us of how vunerable we are out there & also perplexing to as how quick this could happen. I am going out tomorrow but will double or triple check everything before going.
Tight lines & safe boating.
smiley
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 23/11/10
coral bay boat
Hi Meglodon
Great topic, and one that we all should look in to further
As you may have gathered, the two guys from Coral Bay were mates of mine, and I was up there with them when this tragedy occurred
Parts of the boat were found in the first two days after the incident
The boat in question had no sealed bulkheads or in hull flotation
The belief is, the boat has taken on a large amount of water, gone to the bottom and bounced down the edge with the outgoing current
No flares or life jackets have been located, which we can only assume, they were inside the cabin, the epirb was kept in its holder outside the cabin, so it is strange this hasnt shown up
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I believe that if any of us
I believe that if any of us feel our boat is "safe" then we risk complacancy. And on the water that is never a good thing.
Fish! HARD!
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Australian Builders Plate
Since 2006 it has been required under Australian Standards for boats under about 6.5 or so meters to have sufficient foam floatation, for many years.
Over this size it is not covered.
All new builds/boats must have an ABP which will list whether the bouyancy is "basic" or "level".
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC-IS-RBSafeBoatingAPBOnboard.pdf
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
pakulacockroach
Posts: 87
Date Joined: 06/12/07
agree
Megladon,
Great post mate. I have also been doing a bit of thinking on the exact things you mention. There is no doubt that things can go pear shaped real quick, and catch people by surprise.
Without sounding callous or a smart a$$ I would like to point out one clear thing in both cases, especially with the benefit of hindsight. I believe that both incidents could have easily been avoided had unnecessary risks not been taken. In Coral Bay, the weather clearly was not favourable with both wind & swell on the day. With the second case, fishing off shore solo at night is inviting trouble.
I know we all like to get out to catch a fish, but caution should always prevail. It's one thing to be caught out by a dodgy weather forecast, it is another thing to further increase your chances of disaster. After all no fish is worth losing your life over.
Trailcraft570
Posts: 124
Date Joined: 06/11/13
Log on?
Aren't sure if, in either event, the respective skippers logged onto their local sea rescue units but one lesson I have learnt from these terrible events is that I'm going to keep updating my position and next reporting time back to the respective sea rescue unit that I have logged on to, every hour or so, irrespective where I am off the coast. I too offer my sympathy to the families of those involved in the above mentioned tragic events.
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8050
Date Joined: 07/05/12
I have basic floatation in my
I have basic floatation in my boat and have enquired around Perth about having positive floatation installed with the various 'boat fix' guys and they don't even know what I am asking and always ask me to "bring it in for a look".
I have a sealed outer hull and would love for it to be filled with some kind of foam but just cannot find anyone in Perth who knows what they are doing... happy to take a reference.
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Basic floatations is
Basic floatations is positive buoyancy, or at least it should be?
EDIT, looks like it may not be however if "air is used as buoyancy it is assessed with the two largest compartments flooded"
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
sunshine
Posts: 2555
Date Joined: 03/03/09
How many on here actually log on ?
I voluntarily man a station be it on Tuesday's but at a major SOR ramp location, can count on one hand the log ons yet upwards of 50 boats leave the ramp........how about ALL on this site make a pact to ALWAYS log on (and off) when leaving the ramp...that would at least be a step in the right direction....what do you think?
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
Every time
I log on with sea rescue every time I head outside of the river. Freo Sea Rescue if in the metro area, or the nearest one if not. If I'm doing a trip up the coast I log in with Freo, advise my travel plans and get them to relay to appropriate sea rescue group along the coast.
If I can't raise sea rescue for whatever reason I don't go until I can.
BTW my boat is not small, 36' overall.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I log on always when i am
I log on always when i am one up and wear a pfd.
Only times i dont log on is on the river, or checking craypots at the same time as every other man and his dog at dawn when the march is on.
If we are fishing offshore, always logon.
If i am fishing more remotely, ie monkey mia, i have a base radio set up at the camp so we have contact if need be (i know that isnt quite legal, but i'd rather be safe than completely legal).
Fish! HARD!
Trailcraft570
Posts: 124
Date Joined: 06/11/13
Spot on sunshine....
totally agree
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
I sold my Trailcraft (which
I sold my Trailcraft (which had sealed air flotation).....I just did not feel confident with the real flotation if the hull got holed. Have heard of too many boats sinking very quickly.
Ended up with a Boston Whaler which to the best of my knowledge is unsinkable, but as above, never get complacent, there is always fire......
I think most boats are nowhere near as safe as most people think.
I carry two epirbs and all the safety gear but still feel pretty exposed when 70 km offshore deep dropping.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
Damage82
Posts: 61
Date Joined: 18/04/11
hmmm
Titanic was also unsinkable
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
no it wasnt
no it wasnt
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
crasny1
Posts: 6986
Date Joined: 16/10/08
It was build as unsinkable
But nobody foresaw the idea that more than 6 sealed compartment could be holed at the same time, ie if this happened it would sink
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
my understanding is that the
my understanding is that the water tight bulkheads did not extend to the deck and flooded over as it went down by the bow.
But the comment was that obviously, it WASNT unsinkable
And of any boat sold nowadays, the BW would likely be the most demonstrable unsinkable vessel barring fire, that there is...
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
resurgence
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 23/04/14
I wouldn't make any
I wouldn't make any assumptions about how many boats have built in flotation. It's only a recently new requirement.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
2006
2006 was the year that it came in I think, but many had something before that.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Wannafish
Posts: 158
Date Joined: 20/05/12
Megladon, I believe my 1982
Megladon, I believe my 1982 Qukntrex centre console would sink like a brick - hence my recent posts on Life Cells, and Logging On / Off.... Recent events have really got me worried about how complacent I have been out in the boat with my family, and I will be making changes to ensure they are as safe as I can make it for them, without having to give up on heading out in the boat for a fish!
Wannafish
Posts: 158
Date Joined: 20/05/12
Megladon, I believe my 1982
Megladon, I believe my 1982 Qukntrex centre console would sink like a brick - hence my recent posts on Life Cells, and Logging On / Off.... Recent events have really got me worried about how complacent I have been out in the boat with my family, and I will be making changes to ensure they are as safe as I can make it for them, without having to give up on heading out in the boat for a fish!
Wannafish
Posts: 158
Date Joined: 20/05/12
Oops...
Oops...
hezzy
Posts: 1519
Date Joined: 27/11/09
good thread without casting
good thread
without casting judgement on anyone in particular , and with regards to recent events which are very tragic for the people and familys involved this is a discussion that needs to be had
I truly believe that in the last 20 or so years with all the advances in technology /safety etc etc many fishers have slowly been convinced we & our gear are more indestructible /invincible and can/will handle much more than it ever should be tested under
to some degree we have lost respect for the natural elements that we venture out into
because of that belief in our gear and technology ,
there is an element of pushing the boundarys all around us in every aspect of our lives , in the media , docos movies , adventure sports etc , that unconsciously gives us a false sense of security & reliance that it wont happen to us out there because we have all this u beaut gear and stuff of amazing gadgetry
combinations of small one of things out in the natural elements continue to bring man undone when we push the barriers & more and more people are doing that nowdays in every human activity imo
its the little things that catch you out on days when nature conspires to turn nasty on you imo
hezzy
OFW 11
evil flourishes when good men do nothing
little johnny
Posts: 5330
Date Joined: 04/12/11
I think the longer you fish
You forget dangers. Well don't forget ( take for granted). She will be right attitude . Happens in work force all the time. That use to doing same job over and over for many years. You tend to forget your own safety. Fishing no different.Recent events has certainly made me sit back and think. No boat 100 percent safe. There isn't many fisherman I know who hasn't made the mistake in going out ,when really we shouldn't 50/50 weather. Doesn't matter size of boat or equipment . Hopefully the last few sad events makes us all rethink prior to going out next time.
Troyboy
Posts: 84
Date Joined: 23/01/15
Good thread
Both of these accidents are really bloody sad. I went out and had a little explore around coral bay a few days before that first one, It's an amazing peice of coastline but wouldn't take much to get into trouble around that reef, especially at night.
Completly agree with what hezzy and little johnny said, but to ad a bit, If something does go really wrong we probably won't have time to react it will just happen. Most of us don't wear an automatic pfd (myself included until now)... Just ordered one for $120. We've got the technology to help prevent this stuff ending the way it does sometimes maybe we should use it a bit more. just my 2c
Mulie
Posts: 546
Date Joined: 20/02/11
PET Bottles
PET bottles - new ones with first use caps packed tightly under the floor during construction or when re-doing a floor are commonly used in poorer countries to provide positive buoyancy. They work very well and aren't compromised when you have hull damage.
Mulie
bleicester
Posts: 219
Date Joined: 10/09/14
PET Bottles
That's genius! Each ones is a sealed container in itself, would add very little weight and also take up the empty space meaning less room for any water if it does get in.
Error 404
Fish not found
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1301
Date Joined: 23/02/11
I have grown up on boats and
I have grown up on boats and spent a lot of time at sea -I always felt comfortable at sea - about 12 years ago we were trolling for tuna about 6 miles behind rotto - 50m+ mark - the swell was running around 2-3metres and the sea was around 1m - the boat I had at the time was 36 foot and built to survey - we hooked up to some weed and I took the boat back to idle whilst the boys reeled in - as I did the boat turned side on in the wind and from nowhere we got belted by a wave - the wave broke over the flybridge and turned the boat on its side. I saw it coming and hit the throttles which I still don't know too this day if it saved us or made it worse! - I like to think it did save our bacon, if nothing else it made the two guys at the stern grab on! - the boat righted itself after the wave rolled over us but was listing hard to port -engine room was knee deep in water- we had 6 bilge pumps going and was using the starboard engine (t-piece on the raw water engine pick up inside the boat) to help pump out the water - it took 30 minutes to clear the water. we lost a lot of stuff over the side but the trip home that day no one could have been happier just to be alive! - I have never since turned my back on the ocean - it was a wall of water that came from no where and was gone as quick as it came. A meteorologist told me it was possible in our conditions to get a circa 5-7 metre "freak" wave - two swells and a wave catch up to each other at the same time - (the wind helps with this) and it breaks - wrong place wrong time -
sorry for the long post - that day still haunts me - when looking at the weather conditions - double the swell size and add the wave size and be prepared for that possibility!
dodgy
Posts: 4563
Date Joined: 01/02/10
There is a section off tantas
There is a section off tantas that tends to jack up a bit too. Have been trolling for bills and nearly caught out twice there. Massive rolling swell and every now and ten one jacks right up and breaks and that's in 150m of water.
First one we took front on and fell off the back of it.
Second one caught a 9m boat side on and flexed the side so much it blew a moulded side pocket out.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
good post and as Rob said. I
good post and as Rob said. I would hazard to say most boats out there would not float in the wrong circumstances. Lot of Aussie builders out there who do not put buoyancy in 6m plus boats.
Best thing I have learnt over the many years at sea I have spent is to (if you have time) TAKE THE TIME to make correct decisions. I have navigated the south passage Coral Bay countless times over the last couple of decades. Certainly remember a time coming in after a long days fishing .....sitting outside the reef watching a BIG swell ...breakers all along the passage. Big tide. 5 minutes from ramp. Watched watched then decided to travel for another hour and a half north to north passage (slow trip in heavy seas (but not breaking waves.....home in the dark but safe with I think a good decision made.
Take the time make good decisions.
Formula 233
Posts: 30
Date Joined: 06/12/15
Built to Survey
Smart post.
I owned a pressed ali many years ago and took a wave over the stern heading back from Rotto late one summer afternoon.
No swell but a strong Freo Doctor blowing.
Swamped the boat, if another followed, we would have become another statistic.
I sold the boat and bought a foam filled in-survey hull from over east which has worked hard for me ever since and is the safest and most sure footed hull i've fished out of.
I trust my boat,have max volume bilge pumps and follow all safety checks religiously.
Air filled chambers just don't cut it, especially if we hit a sea container or submerged debris.
I always use the base rule 15 knots/ 1.5m seas as the foundation but still think a risk rating should be published daily in the paper. Swell from the SW and seas/wind from the NE can create dangerous disturbed current that can catch people out, especially newer boaties.
I have one mate who still wants to fish in any weather regardless- there needs to be a single unit of measure that we reference every time we go out. One number to help people make logical decisions before heading out.
Sad that we still lose people. Good men lost at sea.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1301
Date Joined: 23/02/11
I have one mate who still wants to fish in any weather regardles
I used to be that guy!
Winter fishing on the drift with 2 sea anchors out and using 4 sinkers to try and hold bottom! - 1 big wave and 2 kids later I am a fair weather sailor!
It still amazes me how boat builders fit the minimum size bilge pump they can get away with - fine for pumping out a bit of slop but useless in a high volume situation
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Personally Im against what
Personally Im against what you suggest, besides which it will never happen as someone must then decide that "risk rating" plus the weather at each end of the metro forecast area can easily be totally different.
There simply is not anyway to quantify weather at sea in one number.
Unfortunately seamanship is simply a skill that can only be learnt to a certain point and from there its only the hard way.
People (including me) will always cross the line a little here and there.
Its just an unfortunate consequence of life also though, that you dont learn UNLESS you come close to those boundaries.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Doc
Posts: 691
Date Joined: 29/05/16
I'm under no illusions about
I'm under no illusions about my dinghy, if it wants to go under, then it will.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
doesnt it have foam under
doesnt it have foam under the seats?
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Doc
Posts: 691
Date Joined: 29/05/16
Hi Rob, yeah it does, but I
Hi Rob, yeah it does, but I wouldn't like to put it to the test, only 2 seats and they aren't that big in a 3.8m tinnie
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
very simple to calculate the
very simple to calculate the bouyancy, just measure the volume of the foam and for this purpose take it as 1 litre equals 1 kg of bouyancy.
In salt water one litre of volume actually has slightly more bouyancy.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
Are we too complacent?
Are we too complacent? YES!
Just because we have been doing something and getting away with it for years doesn't make it safe.
We have a false belief that "Gear and Tech" somehow makes us invincible, and can justify our risk taking.
These last two boating tragedies have most likely been sudden and violent. Most likely hitting a reef, rolled by a wave, hitting debris at high speed in the water etc. In events like this you are very likely to recieve injuries that will see your demise.
Self inflating PFDs..... They work, if they are not damaged in the accident, Auto inflating can trap you under the hull, and have you serviced them recently?
PLBs...... Compared to an EPIRB. Short battery life, will not self right in water and have to be held clear and upright for best transmission. Try holding one up for 3 hours.
Marine VHF handheld radio. 5w radio at sea level with a lossy helical antenna...... effective range about 1km.
We need to plan not to have an accident by not putting ourselves in risky situations, and not rely on safety gear to save the day.
If you boat is afloat, you have a good chance of rescue. Jump on the radio, pop a flare, set off the EPIRB. You can survive days if need be. Once you are in the water your survival rate has taken a plumet..... a big one. In 18 deg water as you would find around perth, you have about 3 hours until you are hypothermic and non functional. 8 hours coma/death.
Stay safe !
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
True about the VHF range,
True about the VHF range, but only to a land based station.
Much much further to an aircraft.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
If the aircraft is equiped
If the aircraft is equiped with Marine VHF, and if you know what frequency they are using to coordinate the search on.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
an aircraft involved in a
an aircraft involved in a search will be monitoring VHF16
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
Good question, howmany
Good question, howmany people actually go over their boat and make sure its seaworthy? Not just the engine, but the hull itself, especially when your boat starts to age.
One key item here and even with logging on to sea rescure on the way out, is safety gear. Unless you hit another boat or a whale and smash your head into the dash, knock yourself out, or worst case fall overboard at speed, you should ALWAYS be able to reach your safety gear. A Life jacket will save your life, an epirb will save your life quicker.
Howmany people put their epirb in a bag, or in a container in the cabin, or in a compartment on the boat? in the unlikely event you capsize your boat, how easy is it to get to them?
I carry a safety bag, which has 2 epribs, 2 sets of flares, a whistle, a waterproof torch and 2 life jackets. I also carry 8 more life jackets, 4 in 2 different locations.
The Safety bag sits lose on the deck, easily identifable and easily accessable.
The tools are available, its just as some say, we get too complacent to use them.
As for the coral bay incident, conditions play a big part in safety, unforunately some people either miss read or not quite understand the dangers in sea conditions.
Deckie
Posts: 1297
Date Joined: 03/04/09
Water.
Maybe throw a bottle of water in that bag as well Bodie.
You never know how long you will be in the water given that a lot more folks are heading further out to chase fish.....
Cheers & Stay safe
Cruise Control
Posts: 971
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Safety Bag
I like the idea of a Safety Bag and whilst I carry plenty of jackets and double up on flares and Epirbs as is being pointed out if there is a sudden and dramatic event, you don't want to be groping around for this gear.
So, is there a good bag out there that is large enough to be equipped with everything that you might need to provide you with the best possible chance of survival.
From what I can see, the Axis bag in either a 60l or 90l capacity seems to be a good option. Is there any others that you would recommend ?
Moking
Posts: 1252
Date Joined: 30/05/12
Marine Safety Grab Bag- They
Marine Safety Grab Bag- They are out there.
This type:
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=144&item=74356
My Dad taught me how to Fish-Thanks Dad.(RIP)
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
The idea of a safety grab
The idea of a safety grab bag has merrits But!!!! You need to locate it where it can be accessed, and it needs to be fimly attached so in the event of a collision, swamping, capsizing, it stays put, and you know where to locate it.
Is in now up the front under a pile of gear the was thrown around in the accident, is it under the boat, was it thrown out of the boat in the incident and is now floating away?
So accessable position, firmly attached, but easy to remove.
Food for thought..... if you put all your gear in the grab bag.... and you cant find it. You have lost everthing!
Cruise Control
Posts: 971
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Yep, the idea is to replicate
Yep, the idea is to replicate the safety gear into the grab bag. 4 lifejackets, flares and an eprib etc. in addition to the kit that is inevitably stored in the cabin or some other difficult place to reach !
Said grab bag to be stored on deck, loose with the intention that it does float. At least this gives me twice the chance
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
spot on cruise
spot on cruise control.
Safety bag is 'bought out' each trip on the boat,is easily identifiable on deck,floats, and most importantly easy to get.
I've also got flares and life jackets under the front seat and under the console (Centre console).
Swompa
Posts: 3786
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Whilst painting my boat this
Whilst painting my boat this arvo (unemployed time perk), it had me wondering about boat colouring. Now I don't like white boats, how boring, thogh from a safety point of view, a white boat in a breaking wave is hard to see by a rescue vessel or aircraft.
Makes me think about paint my boat red below the waterline....
Cruise Control
Posts: 971
Date Joined: 03/11/10
I read somewhere that the
I read somewhere that the most visible colour on and in the water was black.
Swompa
Posts: 3786
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Yep, black, red or high viz
Yep, black, red or high viz orange
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
If you want to be seen and stand out
If you want to be seen quickly and stand out on a marine background hi vis orange is the way to go. Just have a look at what colour is used on all the safety gear around the place. What colour is used in flares buoys (yes yellow is also used a lot)the safety people have put a lot of money and time in looking at what colour is best to be seen in rough and dim conditions.
Swompa
Posts: 3786
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Orange
Black boat, orange dangly bits
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sw43RwANtBI/VuhDo_lwjNI/AAAAAAAAAiY/9714pAEY7xsBQ0LlZMEXAddXkMk0Qvp6A/s1600/AT5.jpg
Jsmolly
Posts: 176
Date Joined: 10/04/12
In my humble opinion it is
In my humble opinion it is all relative! Recent events have made people negative and rightfully so! But the disclaimers are,
- the typical boat is very safe as is the typical car
- it doesn't however guard against those that push the limits (eg weather- a controllable factor)
- it doesn't guard against the unforeseen or unpredictable (eg freak wave)
- it does not however guard against stupidity (we are all guilty of this)
It's the cotton wool analogy! But saying that people also need to take responsibility of their actions!
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Tend to agree in many ways
Tend to agree in many ways Molly
Most established brands of boats are way more seaworthy than we give them credit for and can handle more than we can or want to.
That may off course not relate at all to safety-the most seaworthy vessel with no floatation will sink if its holed.
I know both my Trailcraft and Cruisecraft have easily handled 30 plus knots on many occasions both to and from the Abrolhos without me feeling in any danger even with the kids aboard.
Uncomfortable due to the ride maybe and wet but thats all.
Going out South Passage I have pushed it maybe, but life jackets on.
Most accidents Id warrant are due to a momentary misjudgement or lapse-poor navigation, poor judgement or lack of experience (not seeing the hazard).
As opposed to poor planning with weather etc.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Agree
Totally agree
duncan61
Posts: 375
Date Joined: 21/11/14
Flipping there tinny
It can come down to dumb luck.A long time ago my youngest brother and I were at Hamelin bay for a week and we had his tinny he had scored in tassie and towed back west.It was quite sturdy about 4 metres and had an ancient 3 hp which was probably fine for lakes and rivers in tassie. We had no problems in the bay and had good days on break sea cod and harlequin with a few mackerel tuna on lures trolling.Day 4 we agreed to go see a mate from their soccer club who was good fun but a bit of a loose cannon.He was obsessed with scuba diving out of a boat and I agreed to take him out.While we were waiting at the ramp the next morning I saw some excellent launches and some near drownings and injuries by all sorts as the swell had picked up from the 2 days of glass we had just had.The worst was a bloke with 5 small children and an old 25hp on a 5 Metre open tinny.took him half an hour to get it going then he belted out of sight to the south.Mate turns up with full scuba gear and we put in.I called that we are not going out the bay as waves were breaking everywhere.I stop to assess the situation and this maniac flips over the side and we roll completely over.The transom just misses my head on the way over now we are upside down.I fully inflated my BC and started towing us back in with my brother on the upturned boat.Maniac panics and declares he is going in for help.an hour later we get towed in by the dude in the tinny with the children who says it's too rough but promised the kids he would take them out.Maniac hits the beach an hour later and I hit maniac . We all go home early and are happy to be alive.I was 28 super fit.If this happened now I am 55 I would just descend and wait till my air ran out. 6 months Later maniac is in local pub bragging how he saved our lives and didn't know brother is behind him. Yes it is same brother I did say there was more
just do it.
johnno67
Posts: 407
Date Joined: 12/03/10
Short and sweet
mate thanks for the great post I'm an experienced fisho and I thought I new everything now I am awake to deal with more and so many others should as well