Gourdon fishermen safe and well

spartacus · 22 May 2014, 21:38

Great news these fishermen were found safe and well earlier today.
Gourdon fishermen back in Montrose after three days missing at sea - Angus & The Mearns / Local / News / The Courier

willk · 22 May 2014, 21:41

Yes - always good when people survive - even jetskiers

I was watching that story. I'm a little curious as they managed to steam 46 miles out to sea when they knew the coast was half a mile away. The BBC stated that their "compass stopped working"...

spartacus · 22 May 2014, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Yes - always good when people survive - even jetskiers

I was watching that story. I'm a little curious as they managed to steam 46 miles out to sea when they knew the coast was half a mile away. The BBC stated that their "compass stopped working"...

Thought the same thing myself. I was caught out in pea-soup mist a few weeks back off the coast of Peterhead. Didn't help when my brother said 'we'll be okay, just keep the sun on your back!' I think he watches too many westerns!

Switched on the GPS, turned the boat due east and steamed back towards the coast.

Davie · 22 May 2014, 22:50

East? Mr Reid and his grandson also headed East......

MustRib · 23 May 2014, 14:53

ahh....I have read about this...the mysterious Peterhead Triangle ...

steadyeddie · 23 May 2014, 18:18

I would still rather go to sea with a man with 60 years experience as with some of the "experts " on here !! ,

spartacus · 23 May 2014, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davie

East? Mr Reid and his grandson also headed East......

It's been a long week.

SimonCh · 31 May 2014, 18:39

i would love to see their police interview....
"So, what safety equipment did you have?"
"well, we had parachute rockets, and let them off and threw the cases overboard. Then we thought about using our gps, but i was clumsy and it fell overboard. Our VHF stopped working, so we chucked it to save weight, and tied our lifejackets to it, to save it sinking. After all that, we were getting desperate, so we used our EPIRB....Well when i say used, we set it on fire for essential warmth"

2 Choppers, 4 lifeboats, and about 15 boats from gourdon out looking for these idiots.

all the same, i'm glad they are safe and well

Poly · 31 January 2015, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonCh

i would love to see their police interview....
"So, what safety equipment did you have?"
"well, we had parachute rockets, and let them off and threw the cases overboard. Then we thought about using our gps, but i was clumsy and it fell overboard. Our VHF stopped working, so we chucked it to save weight, and tied our lifejackets to it, to save it sinking. After all that, we were getting desperate, so we used our EPIRB....Well when i say used, we set it on fire for essential warmth"

2 Choppers, 4 lifeboats, and about 15 boats from gourdon out looking for these idiots.

all the same, i'm glad they are safe and well

Well you can read the MAIB report now: Marine Accident Investigation: Water-rail

Whilst I guess many of us will have a chuckle (because it all turned out ok in the end), I am sure that complacency affects us all to some extent.

willk · 31 January 2015, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by steadyeddie

I would still rather go to sea with a man with 60 years experience as with some of the "experts " on here !! ,

"The investigation found that the skipper of Water-rail did not have the equipment or competence necessary to navigate his vessel safely in the prevailing conditions. He was also unable to broadcast a distress message as there was no electronic means of communication on board. The skipper’s grandson had not received any maritime or fishing vessel safety training and was therefore of little help once they became lost. A recommendation has been made to the skipper which is designed to provide him with the knowledge and training needed to safely operate a fishing vessel in the future."

He appears to have learned little in those years.

kerny · 31 January 2015, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by steadyeddie

I would still rather go to sea with a man with 60 years experience as with some of the "experts " on here !! ,

Glad that they were both found safe.

camelgas · 31 January 2015, 13:15

Ummm, a handheld vhf with DSC would have saved a lot of trouble, after reading the report , they were lucky all round !.
I used to have a Arran 16 and it is a very seaworthy little boat, but 44 nm is a long way out !.