Helpful tips from someone in a night time fishing trip boating accident
Submitted by Gman66 on Wed, 2014-08-06 11:54
I was talking with a bloke down the jetty who recently had to abandon his boat at night after hitting a reef. The boat was lost and he's now shore based for a few years until he saves for a new boat. During the conversation I asked him if he had any learnings he could share about the emergency situation and he offered the following which I found helpful.
- Make sure you can identify your night flares from your day flares and have them in a place they can be easily grabbed at night in the dark. The example he gave was that in the moment (could well be panic involved stuck on a reef at night being hit by waves) he set off a his day flare/s first due to confusion.
- The night flares when set off don't last for that long so pick your moment.
- Keep your EPIRB above deck and accessible.
- The cause of the incident was he allowed himself to be distracted by a passenger who was discussing a bit of a medical condition with him and he lost concentration.
The skipper had been offshore night boat fishing for four years incident free, seemed a level headed bloke from the short interaction I had with him. I appreciated him sharing the learnings, there might be something in it for others as well.
Cheers G
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Acceptance is the key
sea-kem
Posts: 14853
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Yeah it shows how quickly
Yeah it shows how quickly things can go pear shaped. I've just purchased a waterproof grab bag for the EPIRB and flares and that will be easily accessible if needs be.
Love the West!
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
I've got the exact same
I've got the exact same thing
Water proof bag with 2 sets of flares, Epirb, Life jacket torch, knife and a few other bits and pieces.
Floats on water and sits freely on the deck of the boat so everyone knows where it is, and if for some reason boat overturns its not hidden under a compartment.
axey45
Posts: 1758
Date Joined: 26/11/13
also a short cut isnt short
also a short cut isnt short cut when you hit the reef.
Anyfishwilldo (not verified)
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 01/01/70
ive done the same sea-kem...
ive done the same sea-kem... always have the bag at arms reach when out at night... also have a waterproof cover over my phone that stays in my pocket... I have taped glow sticks to the side of my night flairs... atleast when its dark u just feel for the bumpy one... can crack the glow stick on the other so gives u a little light and if u fumble you can quickly find it
Lastchance
Posts: 1272
Date Joined: 02/02/09
Ive got a fender in my grab
Ive got a fender in my grab bag in case the boat goes down quickly, hopefully it wil float. Ive been in this prediciment before and it is not something I would wish on anyone.
Just remember along with the panic, you will more than likely have some injuries as well so its of paramount importance that you remain as calm as you can.
Daisy
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
Driving a boat is the same as
Driving a boat is the same as driving a car in the sense that a split second distraction can be catastrophic - more so at night.
Glow sticks on the night flares is a great idea - I have a couple in the grab bag but now intend to tape them to the night flares.
Mentioned it on other posts but worthwhile to recap, get a foil emergency blanket or two and keep in your grab bag. Hypothermia is one of the biggest killers on the water. If you pull someone out of the water or have to spend the night on an island somewhere or the boat it could save your or someone else's life - cheap and takes up no room. Surprised there not mandatory equipment -
Can also be used as a reflector/signal
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
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Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
Lessons learnt Insure your
Lessons learnt
Insure your boat
Mark your flares so you can distinguish day/night. A bit of cord on the night flares will give tactile distinction.
Know the area, have an up to date chart or card. Use a plotter if available.
Slow down and allow plenty of buffer between your vessel and dangerous areas.
As a skipper your priority is the safety of the boat and occupants. Don't let yourself be distracted!
Use a marine radio. Log in with sea rescue. Keep the radio switched on to the area working frequency or emergency channel so you can use it at a moments notice.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8627
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Navigation
Check your position regularly so you don't get in a position where you find yourself in the drink. Don't fish close to reefs and take short cuts. Log in with Sea Rescue and notify them of even minor changes in your location because it takes heaps more time to find someone at night than in daylight.
All the other bits about flares and epirb positions are secondary.
Berin
Posts: 150
Date Joined: 15/07/10
Log on
Situational awareness, keep a clear head. Drinking makes fools swim. Logging on is mandatory in my book. Have the right gear etc. Every time I have heard of or seen an accident at sea it is always always always due to a lack of preparation and simple common sense.
Stay as safe as you can be, PLEASE.
chilie
Posts: 60
Date Joined: 06/01/11
I always put my trails on
I always put my trails on when I head out in the afternoon, that way when its dark I stick to that to avoid craypots reef etc. on the way back.
Mike17
Posts: 323
Date Joined: 30/06/13
This Guy?
www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-07/costa-concordia-capt-sparks-anger-panic-management-class/5653920
This clown can probably tell you how not to do it.
Use The Force
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Prob has chartplotter set to
Prob has chartplotter set to show north up all the time
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
BoozeFishSnooze
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 27/09/12
If this was south of the
If this was south of the river rocko ways it might have been a mate you talked to, but yea you gotta always keep your head on a swivel on the water day or night and never get complacent on the water.
Call me the wrasse whisperer.