Through VMR's eyes

[Scalem]

Scalem,

At no time should you turn parellel to waves on a bar! That is the easiest way to have your boat rolled over!! And it will happen quick! That is definitely not good advice...



Anthony

Really? Depends on the distance between waves Anthony, because I have done exactly that looking for the shoulder of the wave that has not yet broken. Sometimes you need to put the hammer down to do so but once found that is a way out of the situation. You straighten up so you are not broadside. Maybe that clarifies it for you, but if you fear there is a board rider in front and you don't know where he is going to turn, that is not a good choice, agreed. And poor light, swimmers and board riders in navicable waterways .... hit a board rider and let the courts decide, I think the boat driver will lose 9 times out of 10 whether you think its your right of way or not.

Scalem

[samson]

my folks about 25years ago rolled their boat on tally bar because they tried to avoid a surfer pulling off a wave in front of them that was unnoticeable in the swell and when speaking with vmr later they were advised if this happenes again instead of risking your life and boat avoiding them in the future you may just have to run them over its simple as that.

As far as all bars go and thats currumbin included whether its tow in guys on jet skies or paddle boarders they should not be there i've had close calls on all bars with these monkeys they've got a beach to use go use it leave the boat passages for what they are meant to be for after nearly losing my mum and dads life to one of these idiots i show no mercy if they get in my road and i can't avoid them without losing my boat or life then look out i'm coming through.

[johncar]

Been a boaty/fisho for 50 years and VMR member for over 20 years. Most of the guys and girls at VMR are just keen boaties and such and many with professional maritime experience.
I originally joined to gain more knowlege in particular for travelling offshore for some fishing in relative safety.
I consequently became a VMR offshore skipper and assisted many a boaty and others in trouble night and day.
It was my observation that in 99% of cases it was poor planning, maintenance, preparation or lack of knowlege that got people into trouble, some were just plain drunk at sea which was sad.
So yeah if the world was perfect we wouldn't need VMR but I know that we arn't perfect and things just happen.

I often go to sea on my own most often 60km or more out and night or day, my VMR training and experience has given me the confidence to do that is reletive safety and I log on to my local VMR base and log off as required. Keep them up to date of my location and movements. It's always on my mind that if I end up in the water out there at least they know where to start looking.

Logging on is possibly one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family and the people at VMR and Coastguard will really appreciate you doing that. I know that they don't like seeing boats going out and not logging on and very frustrating for them.

I hope that all boaties/fishos support VMR and Coastguard. They only exist on fundraising and membership plus some govt subsidies and volunteers of course. You can always join up, get involved and improve your knowlege/skills even better.