An experience I'd like to share..
Some of you may have heard or seen on facebook already about an incident that I was involved in last Friday afternoon. I want to share this with all of you because this is something that could happen to any one of us that own boats or head out on the water on any kind of marine craft. Im not posting this to get pats on the back or anything like that my aim is to share my experience with you so hopefully you guys can take something from it if something similar were ever to happen. Touch wood. I'll do my best to recollect the events of the evening but I must say my mind wasnt in a good space at the time you'll realise why if you keep reading.
Last Firday after work I decided to head out on the ski to pop some tailor on the reefs in Warnbro Sound, those who follow the site regularly know I've been doing this for years. I got on the water just after 4pm and conditions were perfect, light easterly winds, no swell and incoming tide. The reef that I often go to is only about 3.5kms from the ramp so I was there no longer than a 5min ride. I weaved through the reef to my holding spot, 3 casts in and I had tailor climbing all over the popper. I ended up getting 3 whoppers in 3 casts, all over 50cms, the first probably a nudge over 60.
I weaved out of the reef to open water to get a couple photos and I uploaded them to Facebook for a bit of a brag. I noticed my feet were suprisingly underwater in the foot gunnels and the engine was making an unfamiliar sound. I turned around to see the back end of the ski was sitting deeper in the water than usual and as I tried to take the back seat off to inspect the hull I was nearly tipped off the ski. At that moment I knew there was water in the hull without even having a look so I turned around and hit the throttle and gunned it for the closest point of the mainland, Long Point (Becher Point.) At full revs the ski was struggling to do over 8 knots and the back end was completely under and the nose right up. I tried changing the trim but it was making no difference. I got my phone out my pocket and facebook was already opened so I had a light bulb moment where I thought why just inform one person of what was happening by text or call when I could broadcast it to 350+ of my friends, some of who might even be in the area and could keep a lookout.
The status read;
Beau Suladra
November 15 via mobile
Just incase I don't make it. Ski is taking on water heading back to long point asap stuck going about 8knts should be about 20mins.
At this point I still thought I'd make it back to land safely. Not once did I think to make an official distress call to Sea Rescue via mobile, I didnt want to create a fuss to be honest. I had made it a couple hundred meters in about 3 minutes.
Then the engine started to gurgle, and start to stall. I kept pulling the throttle hard which kept it going for a couple seconds more until it finally died. Pushed the the ignition a couple times, nothing. When the ski finally came to a halt the instability due to the hull full of water threw me off the ski into the water, phone still in pocket. From the water I tried the ignition again but still nothing. At this point I didnt know if the ski was completely going to sink to the bottom or if it would stay afloat. I got the back seat off and reached into the compartment for my flare kit, the compartment was full of water, the flare bag was half full of water. Earlier I had scanned around for any nearby boats and there was one at the next reef north, rough guess about a kilometer away. I paniced and ripped the flare kit open and grabbed a flare. Having never used flares before I had a quick read of the instructions and popped it. Luckily for me I popped the right flare, sending orange smoke across the water. I couldnt tell if they had seen me so I got the other smoke flare and let it off. No movement from the boat so I had to make a decision.
I saved the other 2 flares just incase I hadnt been picked up by nightfall and they'd be easier to spot by others in the dark. It was getting closer to 5pm at this stage.
The ski was still floating so I thought do I ditch the ski, let the easterly blow it further out to sea and swim for shore, get the boat and retrieve it the next day, or stay with the vessel like I had heard over and over again in the media. I decided to stay with the ski, but I cant remember why I did it, but I swam to the front of the ski, grabbed it with one hand and started to backward frogkick towards shore. My legs were under the ski acting as a propellor, I stayed as horizontal as possible to reduce drag and my life vest kept my upper body and head fairly horizontal on the surface. I got into a rhythm of when a surface chop would go underneath me, I'd kick with my legs and push with my spare hand as I'd go down the backside of the chop, rather than pushing into the frontside of the chop going against me. I think it took me about 45mins to 1hour before I realised I was making any headway.
I didnt stop this motion for 2 hours..
I made sure I breathed deeply. I kept my glasses on so the un-expected large chop coming over my head wasnt getting too much water in my eyes. I made sure I didnt over-exert myself as I was a long way from shore, thinking about all those times I cramped up while out surfing.
Just before the sun started to set I came up with a plan. I would pop the parachute flare the first second the sun disapeared under the horizon, not a second before incase glare was an issue, as I had seen all the beach-goers when I left the ramp and figured a lot would be looking out in my direction taking photos or just admiring the sunset, that would be my best chance of getting spotted. I would save the hand flare for when I spotted a boat.
It took all my might to reach up and open the front hatch and reach in to switch on my navlights to aid in the fading light.
I swam around to where I had kept my flares to seperate the two while there was still light and could read the labels. Turns out both flares were glowing hand flares and there was no parachute flare.
I stuck with the plan and let off the first flare right after sunset. I cant explain the feeling when I popped the flare. It was ridiculously bright and at that moment I knew I'd be alright, I was thinking to myself "Everyone in Warnbro Sound would be able to bloody see this."
I was right.
I swam for another 10-15mins or so, dragging the ski with me. The ski is close to 400kg dry, no fuel no oil. The fuel tank was full, and so was the hull..
I started to hear a differnt noise other than the 4WD's and motorbikes that were tearing around on the point that I had heard for the last hour or so. I turned around to make out a boat heading straight for me. I swam around and grabbed the last flare, popped it and waved it frantically, pin-pointing the boat to my exact location. When the flare went out I was in such a rhythm that I started swimming again dragging the ski, I didnt stop until the boat was pretty much right on top of me. When the boat picked me up it was sometime after 7pm and still had 1.5kms to swim before I reached shore. The boys couldnt believe that I was dragging the ski, let alone even making any headway against the wind. They had seen the flare from the Tyre Wreck and upped anchor and came to investigate.
With the ski on the trailer I dragged her sorry ass to the derigging area. Took the back seat off and the hull was full of water to the brim. Check the bungs, bungs are in. Thank god.
I had a good sulk on the lonely drive back home and again the arms of my worried girlfriend at home. The experience had really shaken me up. My hands still shaking as I type this. The thoughts that were running through my head in that couple hours is also something I cant explain. "Just spent 4k on a bed suite that im never going to sleep in." Thinking that over and over really worked me up, I got quite angry. Also thinking "Shit, that knife I grabbed out of my toolbox at work, did I put that back? Im sure I put it back, I think?" That went for ten mintues or so.. At one stage I was imagining that dolphins were at the back of the ski pushing to help me. Wishful thinking or had I lost the plot?
Thinking back, I cant explain how I did what I did. You hear those stories of ordinary blokes lifting incredibly heavy objects to save someone trapped underneath it. That was my heavy lifting moment. I was so determined to save my own life by getting back to shore that I dragged a rediculously heavy object across the water into the wind, because I knew I had to stay with the vessel, but I also had to do something to save myself. I dont know why I didnt just let off all the flares when I first went in the drink, I dont know why I come up with a plan to set off the glow flares when I did.
When I finally did get to sleep that night, it was shocking. Im still having trouble getting to sleep 4 days later. Saturday morning I could hardly walk, my knees just didnt work. Sunday my body was sore all-over. Im still not 100% now.
Inspection of the ski I found a hose clamp had corroded and failed and pumped saltwater straight into the hull. The ski is currently at Yamaha but im not sure what will come of it.
And to the heroes that might have just saved my life, I seriously cant thank you blokes enough. I will look for you, I will find you, and you will drink my beer.
Beau
Shane O
Posts: 926
Date Joined: 22/01/10
omg
speechless so bloody lucky
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
Lucky boy
reminds me of an incident I had 20 plus years ago..........glad it turned out ok, maybe consider an epirb before you go out again! or a mate!
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Fark man, guess you be gettin
Fark man, guess you be gettin an epirb eh? Well documented story, glad u came out of it alright. Always gota think of the what ifs out on the water. Prob shoulda rang sea rescue to tell of your intentions to head in etc when you knew you had a problem. Nice tailor too!
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
dodgy
Posts: 4580
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Pretty lucky to have that
Pretty lucky to have that result. Bet a waterproof hand held VHF is looking like a good investment right now.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
jighead
Posts: 726
Date Joined: 03/02/12
Wow Beau
Glad to see your ok. Just shows how quickly things can go pear shaped. The mind works alot different in these situations, self preservation the key. You did a good job mate. All that surfing fitness coming into play.
kamo king
Posts: 190
Date Joined: 30/08/09
Good on you for staying as
Good on you for staying as calm as you could mate might have saved you,
someone else without a lot of boating experience could have been a different outcome
uncle
Posts: 9491
Date Joined: 10/02/07
well done beau
must have been very worrying, good to come out and share your exp. for all of us, we can all learn something from this, its always the unexpected that gets us, sit back suck in a few of your favourite brew
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
petermac
Posts: 2946
Date Joined: 03/03/10
your no orphan
saw a jetski being towed back to the ramp on sunday , glad you are ok , I had a very very scary experience at the montys that I might post one day
jighead
Posts: 726
Date Joined: 03/02/12
Would like to here that one pete
Monty's is not a place to come to grief.
scotto
Posts: 2471
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Jesus f**n Christ bobo,
Saw your status update, but didn't realised the severity of the situation.
Sounds like you did the most important thing that is almost impossible to train for - keeping calm and level headed. Glad to hear you can tell the tale.
Wes F
Posts: 1067
Date Joined: 07/01/12
Kept ya head
Tough going trying to swim and pull a ski for 4km's or there abouts. 1 lucky boy, good thing you kept a straight head and stuck to a plan. 1 tough lesson. Hope you feel better in a few days and be able to head out again when the ski is fixed. I'm sure there's a few people on this site who've had one of those experiences.
Old fishermen never die they just smell that way.
big john
Posts: 8758
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Lucky
Well done Beau, used your noggin when a lot of people would have panicked.
Easy in hindsight, but there'll probably be a few extra safety items on board next time you head out. Looking forward to seeing you back out there!
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Lamby
Posts: 3145
Date Joined: 04/08/09
Good to see you are safe
Good to see you are safe Beau!
Kept your head set a crisis plan & stuck to it, the mind would of been playing some serious tricks with all the norepinephrine flooding the brain
aalfred
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 13/06/09
Well done for keeping it cool
Well done for keeping it cool in a situation like that! Glad you are ok!
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15652
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Safety
Good reminder about safety gear, glad you made it Beau.
Reminds me of a childhood story of mine on the nornalup inlet, like the others, a story i may tell one day.
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Ben Derecki
Posts: 1926
Date Joined: 10/10/07
+1
Great reminder on the safety gear and knowing how to use it.
Also glad you made it and esp glad you posted for others to share the experience. Hope you pull through alright dude.
Swompa
Posts: 3902
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Faaaark! How many people
Faaaark!
How many people would have lost their minds and just swam off without the ski/flares?
Never met you, but enjoy YOUR reports, so glad your ok. Guess the drinks were on you?
We were sailing a few years back and came across a guy (who happens to be a FW member) who had fallen off his boat and was in a bit of an exhausted state. Great feeling to be able to help a fellow water lover who is in the shit.
ALEXANG3
Posts: 71
Date Joined: 09/01/11
Haven't met you either, but
Haven't met you either, but always enjoy your reports too. Well maybe this one not as much as usual! Glad it turned out as well as it could have and hopefully it doesn't put you off for long and there are many more reports to come.
Cheers
Alex
Callum24
Posts: 1015
Date Joined: 24/06/12
glad your alright mate, think
glad your alright mate, think you deserve a few cold beers your self
Qualified carpet layer available for jobs big and small
DhuieJ
Posts: 88
Date Joined: 20/05/09
Pat on the back mate,
Pat on the back mate, keeping ya cool and having ya safety gear, it could have been a lot different, glad it all ended well!
shorething
Posts: 244
Date Joined: 05/10/11
Thanks for sharing mate,
Thanks for sharing mate, great you came out of it OK.
Pilbra Dave
Posts: 194
Date Joined: 30/09/11
+1
+1
If you ain't Fishin you ain't Livin
Abz
Posts: 81
Date Joined: 08/06/11
Glad you made it ok mate.its
Glad you made it ok mate.
its not exactly alike but whilst studying some OHS cases , I've come to know that the human body is capable of great things when it's under threat etc but whilst this is the case a person needs to also make the right decisions and be level headed under pressure otherwise they may end up doing more damage than not.
seems you did pretty well to survive .
Nice to know that you made it out ok, but what happened to them tailors? :)
Formerathlete
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 02/04/12
A great share with
A great share with lessons for others, thanks. Glad you are ok and were able to tell the story. Can't believe you still posted the tailor pics!!! The love of fishing runs deep... Well done mate!
catchalittle
Posts: 1875
Date Joined: 04/09/08
good result in the end and
good result in the end and you stayed with the vessel as others said extra safety gear might be in order and hope the repairs are not too much the main thing you lived to tell the tail and may serve useful to other readers if they are ever in the situation dont panick
Nathan
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
Character building experience
Character building experience Beau , scary stuff but you'll be stronger for it over time .. since your lucks in might be worth getting a few slik piks this weekend . Hope your back on the ski asap and don't let the demons get the better of you .
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
Rob H
Posts: 5807
Date Joined: 18/01/12
good on ya Beau, that is some
good on ya Beau, that is some story. EPIRB!
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.
Berin
Posts: 150
Date Joined: 15/07/10
Survival of the fittest
Some people have the drive to survive.... Some don't. Beau, you have it. Be proud of yourself mate for being one that does. Thanks for telling all how easy it is to come to grief and how hard it can be to survive incredible adversity. Never met you mate but I am proud of what you went through, and LIVED to tell the tale. Courage mate, courage.
Fisher Kid
Posts: 358
Date Joined: 16/10/12
GOod job mate, glad u made it
GOod job mate, glad u made it back. Didn't realise the distances involved from ramp to island, thought they were close as, but I guess even with flares its still hard to find you.
Really surprised that no one saw or responded to original orange flares.
Fishing and catching are two different things. But i want to learn how to catch.
sarcasm0
Posts: 1396
Date Joined: 25/06/09
Shit!
Always liked your posts Beau, I too had a close call last year in a kayak in a dam:/ My swim was with pfd, rashie but cold water dragging a waterlogged kayak and gear, but only probably 100mts from shore, but a seemed like a long swim regardless with a heavy boat.
My uncle had an anchor winch issue on the way out of pilgramunna a few years back solo in a yacht and rolled it after tying off the tiller and heading to the bow to retrieve the now deployed anchor, things went pear shaped fast, he was fortunate enough to be seen from shore and picked up by a tourist boat but still 3 hours or more in the water. One of the only things that floated up was a wetsuit and may have saved his life. My father and my other uncle were on the scene within 27 hours and first weather break they dived the wreck site. It was in heaps of bits having been bashed between the reef over the tide change, One of the few pieces of a Farr B30 found was the timberwork holding the instrument/switch panel and now adorns a plaque on the wall.
Welcome back and props for being man enough to post about it too!
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Good
Good to see you made it bro, i'm sure you will never forget what happened and I know how hard it is to not panic and make critical errors, .
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
So, did any FB friends
So, did any FB friends respond to the status? Even ring sea rescue or something? You were resuced hours later by a boat that saw you flare
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Facebook
I saw it and at first thought he was being sarcastic. Sea rescue are your best friends in this situation
opsrey
Posts: 1200
Date Joined: 05/10/07
The number of posts says it all.
Glad you back and on road to recovery.
new age
Posts: 330
Date Joined: 15/03/13
Thank you for sharing your
Thank you for sharing your story. Let us know with a trip report when you get back on the horse! I thought the hose clamp would be 316 s/s and would not have those kind of issues?!
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
Jesus , what a situation.
Jesus , what a situation.
Glad it turned out well mate. A bloody hose clamp , no more than a couple of bucks that your life depends upon.
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
Good outcome
Well done mate keeping your head on in a serious time , I believe the regs are changing next January that all ocean going vessels are to carry flares and Epirbs , lots of positive comments and ideas , water proof VHF next time. The old log on and log off storey with sea rescue is an easy answer , , as they say time to get back on the horse or in this case jet ski when your ready
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Thank you so very much for sharing your story
A great read and a very strong message for all who go to sea, keep calm, keep focused and never give up. Very glad to hear you are ok.
sea-kem
Posts: 15027
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Well done Beau! Thanks for
Well done Beau! Thanks for sharing and a good wake up call for all to make sure our boats are up to scratch mechanically as well as the right safety gear on board. Bloody lucky the conditions were fair too.
Love the West!
dj dvd
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 27/03/12
Wow that's heavy.
Wow that's heavy.
Born to Fish/Forced to Work. www.eatsleepfishrepeat.com.au/
Bruce
Posts: 527
Date Joined: 11/04/12
That is THE scariest
That is THE scariest situation I can think of especially at that late time of day. Amazing how you kept level headed and took things step by step. Good to see your on the road to recovery. Highlights the importance of fishing with company and having the right safety gear. Good on you Beau
on a lighter note, time for a seadoo? :)
Shane O
Posts: 926
Date Joined: 22/01/10
seadoo
sheldoncy23
Posts: 159
Date Joined: 27/02/13
Jeez!
Definately one to tell the gran kids! Glad you made it safely!
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Lucky boy
Glad you made it back.
Incidents like that make you realise that life is pretty fickle. You are fortunate/lucky/charmed to have ended up on the better end of how it could have turned out.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
scottland
Posts: 3039
Date Joined: 10/05/10
Onya beau
Good work on the calm head wat he left out was a shark was spotted as he got into the boat
i support two teams eagles and whoever is playing the dockers
Brock O
Posts: 3249
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Close call
There beau, the water is a dangerous place and panic can set in reel easy!! You stayed sharp and pulled through, thanks for sharing.
A safety reminder to all, maintenance and regular checks of safety gear even if not traveling far!
Norty
Posts: 80
Date Joined: 13/12/12
So glad you made it back
So glad you made it back safely and good inspiration to others as to how to keep calm in a dangerous situation.
"At this point I still thought I'd make it back to land safely. Not once did I think to make an official distress call to Sea Rescue via mobile, I didnt want to create a fuss to be honest. I had made it a couple hundred meters in about 3 minutes."
However I'm sure the guys, who do a great job at the various sea rescue organisations, would rather you call them and come to your aide rather than doing a search for you in the darkness, or worse...
I'd rather read your post here on the forums than an article in the paper by a reporter.
Play safe, you only have one life.
Jim
Posts: 1336
Date Joined: 05/05/06
Cheers for sharing, might've
Cheers for sharing, might've been different if it was someone who didnt surf.
I think im gonna get more safety gear.
Bend over
wrasse magnet
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 16/10/10
Wow! Like others I enjoy
Wow! Like others I enjoy reading your posts, they make me jealous for the most part but definitely not this one! Glad it was a happy ending.
As others have said I think an EPIRB is a must. For me logging in with sea rescue is as well no matter how close I'm heading, but I guess it's a bit hard on a jet ski. Anyone know if you can logon/logoff with sea rescue using a mobile instead of marine radio?
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
yes you can
but not recomended
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
I knew there must have been
I knew there must have been a crazy story to go with the losing your phone thing mate but didn't imagine THiS crazy! Glad you got through that safetly, would have been a shame to loose you before I got to have a tailor fish with ya! Haha.
red dawn
Posts: 104
Date Joined: 29/11/10
Great
Great to hear you got out of that and timely reminder to all of us out on the water to be prepared.
Poppy
Posts: 98
Date Joined: 19/01/13
Thanks for sharing your experience, Beau
I fish a fair bit by myself in a small boat. I am always a little nervous before I launch and get under way. I have a great respect for the ocean and have seen bad things happen to the best prepared boater. I always prepare with plenty of time to spare so that I don't make silly mistakes because I'm rushing. But always in my mind I wonder if there is something I should have done that I haven't done. After reading your story Beau, I have decided that I am going to make an itemised checklist and get it laminated and make sure that everything on the list is covered before I leave home. Thanks again my friend.
Baz
A pessimist is never disapointed
Browndog
Posts: 590
Date Joined: 10/04/12
tailor
How did you cook the tailor? Crumbed & fried or BBQ?
Seriously, glad you are OK, and a timely warning to all as summer kicks off. I know I'll be thoroughly checking all the safety gear before I head out next time.
BD.
dant
Posts: 504
Date Joined: 13/03/13
Good to see you are ok mate,
Good to see you are ok mate, certaintly something we all fear.
brings you back to earth pretty quickly i could imagine - makes you appreciate all the things we take for granted, take some positives out of this negative mate.
take care buddy - look forward to your next post.
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
I have not posted on here
I have not posted on here for a long time but had to say well done mate. Keeping your head together and thinking smart. Could happen to anyone but keeping it together got you home safe. Thanks for sharing!!
Uluabuster
Posts: 724
Date Joined: 12/12/10
Beau, u forgot to tell about
Beau,
u forgot to tell about the shark circling you when you got onto the boat....
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Scary shiate mate.
Scary shiate mate.
Albee Mangles
Posts: 985
Date Joined: 20/05/08
Wow, Scary stuff Beau..
Glad your okay, i saw the update as well that night, but had no idea it was as bad a situation as that.
Glad youre okay mate, i reckon you may have just saved a few lives by posting this.
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
Glad to hear you had a happy
Glad to hear you had a happy ending.
Know room/storage is limited on a ski but I always keep my fins/facemask in the boat just in case I have to swim for it given I'm not as fit as I used to be. Though the radio/flares and eprib etc. would obviously be my first (and preferred) options
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
tailor marc
Posts: 2979
Date Joined: 27/09/06
Glad your fine but gee that
Glad your fine but gee that would of scared the crap outa me, more for the GW's around under me lol
My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
(No subject)
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
De-Crais
Posts: 107
Date Joined: 26/03/11
That certainly makes you think.
Glad you're ok Beau, your story certainly makes you think! Well done mate.
Paul
Glen.vit
Posts: 196
Date Joined: 11/01/11
yep its good that your ok
yep its good that your ok mate, its got me thinking about mare safety gear on the ski that's for sure,
That shark coulda been a white lucky got out the water when you did.
beau
Posts: 4106
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Geeze guys, thanks for the
Geeze guys, thanks for the overwhelming response, just goes to show what a great community this site is.
Sarcasm0 yes it was very hard to sit down and spill all that out to you guys, I thought about it for a couple days and still wasnt sure if i should share the story. I was prepared to be raked over the coals for it but the response form you guys has been great. In the end I thought if I can just prepare one person, if I can just influence one persons decisions then it would be all worth it. Hopefully I've given everyone an idea on how quick everything can turn to absolute shit. I really hope just one other person has learnt something from this.
Yes on facebook I did mention a shark. I didnt forget to mention it in this post, i just chose not to include it. I thought I may have not got my message across about safety and keeping calm if I mentioned it and people just focused on "You're lucky you didnt get eaten by that shark." It wasnt a Shark Survival story, it never was. At no time did I ever say it was "circling me." Ive already had media contact my partner and tell her it would make a great shark escape story. They can get stuffed.
A fin was spotted numerous times about 50-100m after I boarded the boat. No positive ID was made and thats all i'll say on the matter.
Again, I thank everyone for your kind words.
Hopefully I can fight my demons and get on that horse again.
Thankyou
woody
Posts: 617
Date Joined: 27/02/08
That's a fullon situation to
That's a fullon situation to be in Beau and I'm glad you made it back safely.
Your story has really hit home with me and it reinforces the fact I need to buy an EPIRB for my tinny...even though I'm always never more than 2kms from islands or shore I'm always out of 60-100Kms out of town (Esperance) in the middle of nowhere!!
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
Glad you made it, I guess you
Glad you made it, I guess you will be buying an EPIRB now, not that you will ever want to use it but just in case... Awesome write up of your experience :)
DM306
Wilmy
Posts: 48
Date Joined: 29/11/12
Wow Beau, that's a hectic
Wow Beau, that's a hectic tale dude! Glad to see you're alive to tell it.
Super peg
Posts: 760
Date Joined: 02/09/12
Shit mate that's hairy! Cool
Shit mate that's hairy! Cool head in a pretty heavy situation though! glad to hear you ok mate!
I hope now in the aftermath of it all you can find some humour in it and not dwell on the "what might of beens" .
would of scared the absolute shit outer me I hope you get back on the horse when ya can
Good reports and some nice tailor!
The art of fishing consists of casting, winding, trolling and jigging
while freezing, sweating, swatting and swearing.
MJ
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 23/06/09
Great Post!
You could easily save a life by sharing what happened under the circumstances.
Hope you are back on the ski soon.
sharkbaitmate
Posts: 26
Date Joined: 14/12/12
glad to hear ya ok chief ya
glad to hear ya ok chief ya never noe what to expect out on the water sounds like ya calfs did a year long workout :P
diztek.webs.com/
..........Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.........
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Flock me
Thanks for sharing Beau.
Makes you realise how potentially fragile we are.
Mate I have checked the flares early this year. I never throw away old flares because they probably will still work. Im off to the boat as soon as I get home to "RECHECK" everything, and if that is all your story achieved with me - Its a great thing. Perhaps might just get another new set anyway. That way I have 4 sets onboard.
Shivering at the shark thought.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
WSHN4FSHN
Posts: 224
Date Joined: 19/09/12
Wow Beau a great story of
Wow Beau a great story of survival!! Just goes to show it can happen to anyone at any time. Thanks for sharing and your efforts writing up the report. No doubt invaluable info on a forum like this for people to take something from!!
Burley it and they will come.
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
The whole time you were
The whole time you were telling that story I was thinking SH*T! How scared would I have been if it was me and would I have had the willpower to pull through.
So glad it ended well for you... (Safety wise)
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
uncle
Posts: 9491
Date Joined: 10/02/07
your a better man then me
I would have let that ski go in a flash, as everyone has said thanks for putting it down,sit back and get ready for the macks arrival
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
thefishwrangler
Posts: 83
Date Joined: 28/01/14
incredible story beau. you deserve an award mate
amazing beau. its amazing what your body will do went your life depends on it. watched this documentary about people that have don amazing things and one that stood out for me wa.
this dad and son were doing some car repairs and the dad was underneath the car that was on jacks. both jacks failed and the dad was trapped underneath being crushed, the son then grabs the underside of the car and lifts it clear enough for his dad to excape
the car in the story was a mid sized sedan and the son was 19-20. no one can explain how he did it, but he did and it saved his dad's life, but it's not the first time iv heard of amazing things like that happen.
and beau yours is one of the best, when a man wants to survive he will beat the odds, i take my hat off to you mate and don't let this stop you from leaving fish uncaught :-)
bsir
Posts: 574
Date Joined: 24/04/11
Cheers
I haven't met you, but cheers for sharing. A good storey to tell the young'uns when they come along and know everything.
FishingFrenzyLuke
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 03/06/12
Fight or flight...
We'll done Beau glad ya chose to fight and win the battle, you'll get back on the horse mate just give it a little time. Nice fish too, as always! Cheers
rooboy111
Posts: 117
Date Joined: 08/01/10
JJJJJJeeeeeezzzzzzuuuuuuuuuus
JJJJJJeeeeeezzzzzzuuuuuuuuuussssssssss !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One day I'll be a good fisherman ........
Tequila
Posts: 12
Date Joined: 15/09/12
WOW!!
Awesome story Beau, thanks for sharing. It could happen to any of us on the water. Really makes think about and check your safty gear. Glad you made it and thanks
Fishing is Addictive and I'm an Addict!
timboon
Posts: 2961
Date Joined: 14/11/10
An important point Beau has
An important point Beau has made here is to plan when to let the parachute flares go in relation to the arvo setting sun if you ever are in the shit... I made a mistake and wasted one of mine when we had the outboard go down south south of Yardi in the dingi a few years ago and needed help.
Glad you made it mate, hopefully there isn't a next time but try popping the bungs and clear the water if you still have enough propulsion...
Tim
Moking
Posts: 1252
Date Joined: 30/05/12
I've taken a lot of notice
I've taken a lot of notice what Beau has written up here,and I hope it never happens to me,as I fish around the same area.
There's no point in popping the bungs,when there is this much water inside the hull,as Beau experienced.The motor is virtually covered in water,and will not start.
I do take out a small bailer with me,which would be more useful,but I'll just stay with the Ski,as Beau has done.
My Dad taught me how to Fish-Thanks Dad.(RIP)
axey45
Posts: 1758
Date Joined: 26/11/13
Mrs n i were out there that
Mrs n i were out there that day but came in at 3.15pm we would of saved ya.Glad ya safe top story m8 wouldnt wont to do it though.
timboon
Posts: 2961
Date Joined: 14/11/10
If the ski is moving forward
If the ski is moving forward at 8 knts I would have popped the bungs, this is all hindsight of course...
Beau what ski have you got? I`ve got the FX160 07 model...
What was the hose clamp/hose that failed, I best check mine out...
beau
Posts: 4106
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Ski is 08 Yamaha
Ski is 08 Yamaha fxho160.
When jetskifishing NZ shared the story on facebook someone from Queensland mentioned Yamaha were replacing my part that failed with a beefed up version for this model ski, but weren't calling it a "recall."
When I got the ski fixed the new part had been installed but Yamaha were not taking any responsibility. Piss poor.
If you own a Yamaha maybe give Jetpower a call and ask regarding the 4 outlet hoses on the right hand side of the engine.
beau
Posts: 4106
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Popping out bungs easier said
Popping out bungs easier said than done!
You just about have to jump in to get them off and with a hull full of water theres no chance of you getting back on without you tipping it over.
timboon
Posts: 2961
Date Joined: 14/11/10
Cheers Beau I`ll check mine
Cheers Beau I`ll check mine out,
I would imagine it would be the only way to remove the bungs is to get in the water, like I said all hindsight...
I`ve now got a small bailer bucket in the ski also but because I only use mine for surfing I have the seats strapped down...
I think those of us that have had a close call/near miss can sit back and analyse what we may or may not have done...
I now have an epirb I interchange between the ski and the dingi, previously I was a bit naïve with safety gear...
beau
Posts: 4106
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Good onya mate, all I hoped
Good onya mate, all I hoped in sharing this with everyone is that maybe I could just change one persons way of thinking so im stoked to hear that a couple people have taken it on board.
Cheers.