Boat flipped - South Passage

[Midnight]

Gday,
Well done Bill!

I notice that the skipper in question used a grab bag for all his gear and had a GPS equiped 406 beacon. I have to say "here here"

I am a strong advocate of grab bags for all your survival goodies, if they are stored in an easy to "grab" position.

Having your EPIRB screwed to the wall next to the helm and your flares in one of those neat plastic containers stowed under the helm chair,is of no use to you when you roll the boat over. It then requires a swim/dive to recover it all.

A grab bag with all of the above stowed in a postion out of the wheel house where anyone can grab it in a hurry is the go in my opinion.

Everyone that steps aboard my boat is given a brief as to where, firstly the grab bag is and that someone, anyone must grab it, and where the life jackets are and how to press the channel 16 button on the VHF. This happens before I turn the key.

Call me pedantic but I may not be available/conscious when the excrement hits the ventilator!

Again, well done the skipper and well done Bill!

Cheers,
Stay safe,
Myles

[ozscott]

My grab bag with all the safety gear slides via the strap over the back of the driver's seat and would float off if overturned...and its easy for anyone to grab...couldnt agree more that that is the best way to go.

Cheers

[White Pointer]

a top effort Bill and also to all the other organisations involved. It is reassuring that those volunteer groups are there in time of need.
This does bring me to another point..this is not aimed at the people involved in that situation.
How many people buy a boat and decide to go offshore fishing. They may not be sure of the boat's capabilities or of their own. They think they have picked the right weather and head out..all is good on most trips but there is always the one where the weather goes pear shaped and they and their boat is found wanting on many fronts.
I could probably put myself in this situation. The boat was not bought with offshore fishing in mind. However, it could be suited to it with the right weather conditions. It has positive level flotation..self draining sealed deck..2 bilge pumps..EPIRB..life jackets, flares etc etc etc.
Then there is the skipper..me. I have done Bill's bar crossing course and also ventured offshore on a few charters. Seasickness is not a problem..have never had it.

Being the realist that I am..I have asked myself if I could handle most situations if conditions go pear shaped when offshore. The answer is a definitve no. I do not believe I have the skills to handle those situations hence why I have not ventured offshore. That does not worry me..I am happy just pottering around in the bay and estuaries but I wish everyone could honestly answer the question:
Could you and your boat handle sudden adverse conditions when offshore ?

if there is any doubt then I would suggest not venturing out there.

G'day,

Good post. Thanks.

I was itching to go out on the weekend but the weather said no. I talked to a couple of mates who own 6M to 7M boats and they said possible but they didn't want to be that uncomfortable for the sake of a fishing trip.

I ask mates with experience because I don't have much experience in Queensland. Believe me, the waters here are vastly different to Sydney, where I grew up (or just grew old!) So if I can't get a crew of willing participants with more experience than me I am not going outside.

Regards,

White Pointer