Very moving story

codprawn · 26 June 2006, 21:19

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5118650.stm

I know I posted about this story a few days ago but I think people should read this latest report. Must have been a terrible ordeal and a lesson to us all - even in good conditions tragedy can strike.

Shaggy · 26 June 2006, 21:35

Awful story..

What the hell happened to their "new" trawler, let’s hope the MAIB get to the bottom of it.

My heart goes out to the families.

Shaggy

Alice · 26 June 2006, 21:42

Surely there must have been time to get out a Mayday, grab a flare or something? Very sad.

Phil Chitty · 27 June 2006, 07:31

A very very sad story.

No mention of life jackets though.........

ollyit · 27 June 2006, 07:56

I dont have a vhf at present, a moby phone in an aqua pack submersible waterproof case around my neck, flares and obviously a life jackets - I have an oneil wetsuit i use for windsurfing, is it worth carrying that in the locker just incase, it would appear that the coldness of deep water is the real killer here - ur thoughts?

Stephen-RIB · 27 June 2006, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollyit

I dont have a vhf at present, a moby phone in an aqua pack submersible waterproof case around my neck, flares and obviously a life jackets - I have an oneil wetsuit i use for windsurfing, is it worth carrying that in the locker just incase, it would appear that the coldness of deep water is the real killer here - ur thoughts?

Mobile phones are not really suitable, a vhf is ideal as the coastguard can pin point your position and also other boats in the area will hear your mayday. Also you more likely to be heard on a VHF than rely on mobile pgone coverage.

Mollers · 27 June 2006, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollyit

I dont have a vhf at present, a moby phone in an aqua pack submersible waterproof case around my neck, flares and obviously a life jackets - I have an oneil wetsuit i use for windsurfing, is it worth carrying that in the locker just incase, it would appear that the coldness of deep water is the real killer here - ur thoughts?

Most of that would be next to useless. In an emergency situation such as this one, they had no time. To find a mobile, find the correct number and hope for a signal. The boat would be under by then. It takes very few seconds to grab the mike of the vhf and start banging out Mayday. As for wetsuits? It takes me about 5 mins to get mine on. Seriously, get a vhf, preferably base mounted not handheld. I also carry a tube of flares which i could grab in about 3 seconds.

codprawn · 27 June 2006, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Chitty

A very very sad story.

No mention of life jackets though.........

Don't think they would have helped much after 10hrs in the water!!!

Yuley · 27 June 2006, 11:50

12t Trawler.....why no liferaft?

ollyit · 27 June 2006, 12:13

some valid points there, thanks - i got quick grab flares on my a frame in watertight container

codprawn · 27 June 2006, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuley

12t Trawler.....why no liferaft?

We don't know yet if there wasn't - commercial fishermen around here are watched all the time for any rule breaking - maybe it just didn't release? Or else because it was the first time out and the weather was good maybe they just hadn't fitted it yet.

It does say in the news story the boat capsized - liferafts don't tend to work in such cases - they can remain trapped under the boat.

Until the official report comes out we just won't know.

Carl · 27 June 2006, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Most of that would be next to useless. In an emergency situation such as this one, they had no time. To find a mobile, find the correct number and hope for a signal. The boat would be under by then. It takes very few seconds to grab the mike of the vhf and start banging out Mayday. As for wetsuits? It takes me about 5 mins to get mine on. Seriously, get a vhf, preferably base mounted not handheld. I also carry a tube of flares which i could grab in about 3 seconds.

i think the correct nos starts with a 9

Biggles · 27 June 2006, 14:23

I feel that to realsitically survive any period of time in UK waters even in the summer you need to be wearing a drysuit and a lifejacket. You also need to be carrying some means of communication.

Although I wear my drysuit most of the year I've stopped doing so now because I want to enjoy the sun. I do understand that it is a risk I am taking though. I am a poor swimmer and If I was in the water for more than 5 minutes then I'm sure the cold would start to get to me.

I always wear a lifejacket and have a handheld VHF attached to it.

Hugh Jardon · 27 June 2006, 14:42

a very tragic accident and horrific for all involved

will be interesting to see what could have caused the boat to fill with water and go down so quick without giving the guys time to prepare

with a rib the main comfort i get is the hull is sealed so will float anyway and it has 5 separate toob compartments and multiple deck compartments reasonably sealed so the chance of a rib sinking are very very remote. would hate to be in the water for that length of time.....

Mollers · 27 June 2006, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Although I wear my drysuit most of the year. I am a poor swimmer and If I was in the water for more than 5 minutes then I'm sure the cold would start to get to me.

The smell might improve though.

jyasaki · 27 June 2006, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

As for wetsuits? It takes me about 5 mins to get mine on.

So? Assuming you could grab it, it will afford a modicum of insulation from the water. Put it on while you're floating.

Quote:

Seriously, get a vhf, preferably base mounted not handheld.

Ideally, get both. A base mounted unit won't do you much good when the boat flips.

Quote:

I also carry a tube of flares which i could grab in about 3 seconds.

Make sure the tube is somewhat watertight, as well. You won't want to blindly fire off all your flares, but rather wait until you see something that you want to attract the attention of. That may be after a few hours in the water.

Many of the offshore fishermen here keep a ditch bag loose on deck: A floating, waterproof kit that contains food, water, flares, whistle, a radio, perhaps a handheld GPS, and whatever else you think you might need bobbing around in an empty sea. Theory is, if the boat goes down, the bag stays on the surface. Makes sense, though whether or not you find the bag is sort of up for grabs.

jky

Nos4r2 · 27 June 2006, 19:09

I wear my cheapy wetsuit and lifejacket while I'm out. I think gArfie's tried to torpedo me once or twice when I've jumped overboard for a pee...

but I've never been cold in it.I've got a pack of pains-wessex miniflares in my waterproofs as well as the flarepack in the console.

I've got fixed vhf onboard too.

Shaggy · 27 June 2006, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

but I've never been cold in it

Not surprised if you pee in it.

Shaggy

Nos4r2 · 27 June 2006, 23:29

It's a WETSUIT not a semi-dry

I thought everyone did it?

ian parkes · 27 June 2006, 23:58

What a sad story . He must have been a tough guy .

On a point of self rescue and an idea if you are a poor swimmer . Carry a pair of flippers with your grab bag .

I used to kayak a bit with a guy who was diver he knew he wasn't great at rolling etc but liked to paddle offshore alone . He always carried pair of flippers strapped on deck . His reasoning was that with Fins on you could activly swim a good few miles to the shore even pushing something that floats .

Sounds daft but in reality I thought it was a great Idea .