I was done at Raby Bay this morning and saw a Ausfish Members boat coming back behind a rescue boat, The guys told me it overturned this morning on the Sth Passage Bar. It was a white hull Cox Craft Rum Runner with purple top, Hope the guys are all okay!
Nelton
Not good! Anyone know any more about it?
yeah mate was me we where on our way out fishing and at the back of the bar we had freak wave stand up and smashed us
Bugger! How long were you in the water for Rubba, and how did you raise the alarm?
Regards,
Dave.
gee mate hope you are all ok, its happened to me in my rubber duck but luckily the guys had life jackets on. one climb back on and i flancked the other has he swam a shore but gee each time. i go out even as we drive up the beach to launch i feel stressted, charters boats are good. but i hope alls ok with your crew nelton mate
Sorry to hear rubba, hope all are OK and you didn't lose to much gear or suffer to much damage to the boat.
I hate bars, have had a few close calls over the years but i am always very wary and extremely untrusting of the bloody things and will only cross if there is no other way.
Hoping all is well.
Obi_Wan.
Hello to all rubba and myself (flattyfinder ) were in the upturned boat on the south passage bar at the week end.
So everyone wants to know what happened.
ok so its like this ,we were nearly through the bar when we were faced with a huge wave of about 20 ft or so,that came up out of nowhere,at this stage we looked at each other and said holly shit
and if you have crossed bars before you would know once your are commited to the wave there is no turning back.
So we climbed the wave at this stage the boat was in a vertical position nearly at the top of the wave when it broke through us leaving us with no water and 20 or so ft in the air, all you could hear for a split second was the engine screaming out of the water.
At this stage the boat proceeded to fall back to the water engine first, wich swamped the engine and filled the boat to the gunnel with water.
We tried to fire her up immediately but were hit by another wave instantly wich turned her over, then the fun started.
I managed to get out through the side of the canopy, good thing Dale had taken the clears off only 30 mins before.Im out swimming with the sharks (my worst fear) ,managed to grab hold of the bow rail as this was the only part of the boat above the water at this stage.
I was looking for Dale could not see him anywhere,started to get worried as i had not seen him as yet. A minute or so had passed , seemed like a life time.
I could hear him but could not see him. He was still under the boat but up in the front in the air pocket with a life jacket on.
I could talk with Dale through the hull ,I told him to unclipped his life jacket on my signal and wait for me to come in and get him out. On the next calmer wave i unclipped my life jacket clipped it to the bow rail and proceeded to dive under the boat to where he was.
In a flash we were both out with one life jacket in tow. Try an pull a life jacket 5 ft under the water it not easy.
No sooner when we surfaced we could see our companion boat 50 ft away. They did an excellent job in that swell to get a rope to us and drag us to there boat.
Raby bay coast guard were notified and they came out and retrived the boat. and a great bunch of blokes they are too. Thanks to all there help.
We lost a lot of exspenseive fishing gear and personal gear, and that can be replaced , but most importantly we have our lives.
So to all a wise word spend time with your loved ones , as in a instant your lives can be taken, no mater how much experience you have . The sea is not forgiving.
Thanks again to Raby bay A S R and bundy one for the rescue.
Another thing forget about setting off the ebirb you dont have time grab it , its just get out , and the biggest bilge pump wont help either. We were only in the water for about 10 mins.
Wow Flattyfinder, an amazing story and at least as you say you both survived.
You did very well to stay calm and go back in for your mate, well done !!
I bet new underpants were required after that one. Think you have both earned a quiet Rum to get over that one
I hope the insurance company looks after you guys
Russell
Flatty/Rubba, So what are the thoughts of the life jacket requirements for bar crossings considering the number of people that are/get trapped under hulls in similar sitautions like this and the difficulty of getting getting people out.
Regards, Kerry.
Glad to hear everyone was ok, and a good reminder for everyone to be at least an associate member with your local VMR or Coast Guard. Your memberships are the main source of funding that keep these rescue boats on the water.
Cheers
Mick
That was an amazing account flatty/rubba and would have been a scary thing to go through. Well done! The story was first class, reading it almost made me feel as if I was there. Congratulations on keeping your heads under pressure. A brilliant 'save' all round and both of you deserve a medal.
Dale/flatty,
thanks for the account of your bad misfortune on the SP bar. Bad luck about the boat and all your lost fishing gear, but at least you are both OK.
I have seen the Caloundra bar from the wrong site (upside down) and know the feeling.
Hope your insurance is good and you are able to replace the engine and fishing gear soon. I know there is alot of work goes into the insurance claim.
Get back out there soon.
Jeremy
"The underlying spirit of angling is that the skill of the angler is pitted against the instinct and strength of the fish and the latter is entitled to an even chance for it's life."
(Quotation from the rules of the Tuna Club Avalon, Santa Catalina, U.S.A.)
Apathy is the enemy
Put the wind up me too, I've been crossing St Passage for about 15 years and seen some curly ones come through - not like that though.
Makes me think a bit more before I just sail through next time.
Glad all are OK.
Craig
Very happy to hear you both made it safely home even after wearing a lifejacket to cross a bar, the trade off for the experience is now you have a great story for the rest of your lifetimes, although it may not feel like that ATM.
Best of luck and get back on the water soon.
cheers fnq
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