Boat Hits and Seriously Injures Surfer at Currumbin Alley

[DALEPRICE]

whatever way you look at it, its just a terrible thing to happen.

[Scalem]

Interesting comments....

I note that VMR has published that the skipper concerned did not behave irresponsibly, so the jury will not be able to reach a decision on this one, it is a sad day for all concerned. For those that didn't catch my thread a few weeks ago, this is exactly why I visited VMR Currumbin to understand everything about this bar before I crossed it.

My thread sparked some interesting comments, I don't need to say any more than what I have previously in this thread and now, it's a sad day for everyone concerned indeed.

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...ight=currumbin

Scalem

[Hagar]

For those of you that are interested one of the T.V. channels was taping an interview with local fishing guide Brad Smith last night . Brad is a long time Alley surfer and just as importantly a fisherman who grew up using this bar so knows what he is talking about . Be interesting to see what he has to offer . Probably be on the local news but might make the Brissie news as well . Channel nine .
Chris

[PADDLES]

hi jabiru, i'm pretty sure a person on any surfcraft is deemed to be the equivalent of a swimmer for boating safety purposes. who has right of way is just another one of those "grey areas" i expect. it's a tragedy nonetheless for everybody.

[Sandman]

Very sad news indeed when i heard my imediate thoughts went back to times we have crossed the seaway , yes it was going to happen!!!
Just to go back to some comments i was pretty sure that surfing the bar was illegal ?
I have no issues as yet with surfing the bar cause atleast you can see surfers its more the ones paddling across the bar you cant see in particulart the early morning.

Michael

[Lovey80]

Can u imagine what the water police would say if you were anchored in a bar obstructing boat traffic? Say Ie Mooloolaba where it is possible? What's the real difference between a boat obstructing marine traffic and a bunch of surfers?

I have nothing against surfing in fact there should be more of it esp with the younger generations but let's get serious here people have been complaining about surfers creating unessessary dangers in major boating access areas for years.

I hope the skipper get off this completely and a bit off common sense prevails. My thoughts are with all parties concerned.

[business class]

we must remember that Currumbin is not a reconized navitable bar so all the bar rules and regs are thrown out the window?

[Spaniard_King]

For those of you that are interested one of the T.V. channels was taping an interview with local fishing guide Brad Smith last night . Brad is a long time Alley surfer and just as importantly a fisherman who grew up using this bar so knows what he is talking about . Be interesting to see what he has to offer . Probably be on the local news but might make the Brissie news as well . Channel nine .
Chris

Alley board riders club had there monthly meeting last night, Brad is a member of this club. Wouldvé liked to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.

[business class]

Alley board riders club had there monthly meeting last night, Brad is a member of this club. Wouldvé liked to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.

When i worked for Brad at his local tackle shop (when he was involved with it) he was forever trying to get the bar dredged for boaties as it was and still can be a nasty bar to cross at times, was a public speaker for along time about that bar for the boaties so it will be interesting to hear what he says with his interview about the incident.

[Hornet Rider]

Very sad business, tragic loss of life. Hopefully QPOL will conduct a fair & unbiased accident investigation to determine if the boat operator has a case to answer or not. It would be prudent for him to engage a private investigation also, in case the matter does proceed to court.

[goat boy]

Saw on the Gold Coast news tonight Police are still seeking witnesses to this and in fact would now like to talk to anyone that was in a boat up around the bar that morning (830ish)

[Richo1]

Tragic accident in a shared waterway.
As a surfer and a boatie I sit on both sides of the fence.
Perhaps a simple and cost effective solution would be apply sound signals when crossing the Bar in proximity of surfers?
If the boats comming in/out gave a prolonged blast (at least 3 seconds) on their boats horn it would let the surfers know they were comming through. Hand held air horns can be bought pretty cheaply.

Cheers Richo