moreton bay claims another life

[cuda]

A 60-YEAR-old Brisbane man drowned but two fishing mates survived three hours in heavy seas to reach safety after their boat sank overnight in Moreton Bay near Brisbane.

The body of the dead man from Doolandella in Brisbane's west was found floating off Sandy Island by a passing ferry just before at 9am (AEDT) today.
Police said the 6m fibreglass runabout sank around 3am (AEDT) in rough conditions off Peel Island during a fishing trip.

But a co-ordinated search by water police, a rescue helicopter and the coast guard did not begin until the two survivors raised the alarm with campers after making it to shore at Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island, about 6am.

The survivors were the dead man's 37-year-old neighbour and the neighbour's 54-year-old father-in-law from Sydney. Their names have not been released.

Acting Inspector Ray Vine of Brisbane Water Police said the dead man was not wearing a life jacket.


The survivors were treated for cuts on their legs and feet and exposure at Redlands Hospital and were later released.
Acting Inspector Vine said police would use sonar equipment to locate the boat.

"We don't know why the boat has sunk. However the conditions weren't ideal for small craft," he said.

"There were 20 to 30 knot winds with one and a half to two metre seas and there had been a severe weather warning issued late last night for coastal waters.

"There had been reports from the coast guard that much larger boats of up to 40 feet had been blown ashore in that vicinity during the evening."

Meanwhile, a man and his two children were rescued in Moreton Bay today after their tin dinghy began sinking 2km off Margate, north of Brisbane.

The man, his two-year-old daughter and five-year-old son were taken off the dinghy around 7am (AEST).

The three had been returning from a camping trip on Moreton Island when the boat began taking water in rough conditions about 5.30am.

Queensland ambulance staff treated them at the water police Lytton headquarters.

[gunna]

What a terrible pity. Gee you have to respect nature don't you.

[bidkev]

Just seen both reports on 10 news. Very tragic.

I was at a mate's at Pimpama last night and I thought the sky was falling in.....unbelievable light show and thunder right on top of us. Don't know if they had the same "light show" in the bay but at the time I thought, "thank God I'm not out fishing, I'd probably be a gonner"

Nature is wonderful, but sometimes cruel, and to be deeply respected.

kev

[count_baysea]

Tragic.
Should more info be posted or published regarding the bay and its behaviour.
Any info regarding places to avoid in varying conditions, wind direction tidal flow water depth, swell forcast etc.
I know a scary place is north eastern tip of coochie, wello pt and in between peel and cleveland pt in a 15 - 20 nt wind with a 1m swell forcast on a particular tide. It stands up on the shallow banks and they are in short periods. Dangerous for any boat under 6m. Yes we can handle a rolling swell in deeper water conditions but under estemate the power of the shallow southern bay.
Common sense should prevale and if in doubt dont go out but this will not change any thing for the famillies.
My condolences .

[subzero]

In a separate incident, a man and his two sons have been rescued from their sinking dinghy off Margate in Brisbane's bayside.

Troy Winchester and his two sons, aged five and two, were returning from a camping trip on Moreton Island when they were swamped in rough conditions.

Water police say strong winds pushed many boats onto the shore through the night.

Mr Winchester raised the alarm at 5:20am AEST this morning but did not have any navigational equipment on board to direct water police.

A helicopter located the sinking dinghy and guided rescue crews to it.

Mr Winchester says he had to bail water from his dinghy for about two hours.

"Just taking the waves side on and the boat was filling up pretty quickly so I just kept bailing and bailing for the last couple of hours and yes, got help straight away," he said.

Lucky it wasnt more, this bloke made the decision on behalf of his 2 kids who looked about 3 and 6 years old to head home from Morton Island to the mainland in his 4m Tinny. No radio's, had to use a phone with intermitent reception to get help... lucky he had the good sense to use texting.... at least he had some sense and had just invested in 2 new life jackets for the kids.... this is the sort of person that frustrates me, the kids rely on their Daddy to keep them safe..... at least the bloke who died and his 2 mates made the choice to go out or stay out for themselves unlike the kids.... guaranteed prosecution coming up here for Daddy... hope he thinks better next time
Thank good luck that their wasnt 6 deaths in the Bay last night and today...
My sympathies to the family concerned
Regards
Lloyd

[redspeckle]

How many more tragic accidents going to occur in Moreton Bay is one of the most dangerous bays in Australia as mention the example reason by countbaysea you only have head out over the south passage to realise how strong the currents are running in and out of the bay sometimes up to 15knts or more then have wind stand against it makes it real rough and dangerous conditions
I know most the the ausfishers here head out when boating conditions are reasonable good and treat Moreton Bay with respect
When I was heading on the way to work this morning I seen boat's heading toward Manly I just couldn't belive people are going out in those conditions espically when wind was howling and blowing hard all night some people are foolhardy or [smiley=wut.gif]
yes I do for sorry the family the lost his life at Peel Island area and the other young bloke and 2 young childern was very lucky to be rescue it could have easily turn into a another boating tragedy on Moreton Bay lets hope the people have a good think about when going out boating on Moreton Bay treat condtions with repect not like [smiley=cowboy.gif]
Mitch

[Steven78]

Is it ture that he was heading from Morton in that weather? if so why?
I dont understand the risk that some people take

[onerabbit]

You have to wonder sometimes, huh, usually more ignorance than stupidity, pity boat licencing laws not a bit more involved, eg some training or proof of ability, muzz.

[bidkev]

Like Lloyd said, the kids really had no say in what could have been another tragic statistic.

The rescue services were "charitable" in saying that the guy "handled himself well, and did all the right things other than misjudging the weather". If what was said on Ten is true, then he *didn't* do all the right things, he ran out of petrol!

He had custody of his kids for a while and I only hope the poor bugger has an amicable separation from his partner 'cause if he hasn't, and I was in her shoes, he'd have to fight to have 'em again.

Here's hoping it works out well for all concerned as despite what some may think of his actions, he *was* trying to give his kids a good time and unfortunately, came unstuck. Sometimes, trying to do the right thing, isn't always a positive

kev

[ba229]

Be careful guys. The next responsible step of the authorities is to ban boating in the unsafe waters of Moreton Bay.

Sure plenty have and do the wrong thing and they need educating but don't let them take away boating for you all.

Just my opinion.

[nonibbles]

could've been worse for daddy/kids. Imagine having to leave one kid in an unsecured boat in rough water to swim after the other one if he got washed out >

[skippa]

Death at sea, terrible news ...

Very ferocious storm hit Redland Bay area last nite, the speed in which it approached and passed was quite amazing. I was thinking glad I wasn't one of the Yachtie group moored in Horseshoe Bay. Some of the most treacherous waters in the southern bay can be found around the Peel/Cleveland/Vickky Point areas.

How quickly we can be humbled by mother nature. Condolences to the gentlemens family and friends.

regards,
Tony

[GES]

I believe the problem lies in the licensing system for boat operaters in Queensland. You can go to one of those authorised boat licensing establishments and, without any previous experience in a boat, do the classroom theory that they provide, along with all the other participants on the course. Then they put everyone on a boat and you get a turn at driving it for a little while. No one gets much individual tuition at actual driving or boat handling or any real expereince and then they pass you fit for a licence. It's almost like buying a licence without gaining any real ability to drive or make proper judgements.
There's no way that anyone can learn to drive a boat properly, learn the responsibilities and quirks of the sea and be able to take all due precautions, with a lack of experience like that.
I have been on the water, both professionally and recreationally, since 1969 and I am still very cautious when operating a vessl in Moreton Bay.
I feel very sorry for all those involved in these two incidents. It appears to me, in both cases, that the incidents can be put down to a lack of experience or understanding of what the sea can do, or how to handle a particular situation. And, until it happens to them, inexperienced people like these with no proper training, can not have any understanding of just how dangerous it can be out there.
There was a young bloke who posted on this site only recently, trying to get someone to help him get some experience in using his boat so he wouldn't make a mistake like this.
I hope that someone who lives in the northern suburbs near him was able to help him.

GES

[joeT]

Very very sad, and quite a reminder for me because peel island is my regular stomping ground. I would like to say that they were very foolish going out in forecasted windy conditions, but then, I have to think back to when I first started boating and heading out to Peel.

My first 10 trips or so were in a 12ft allycraft with a 15hp motor. Really narrow beam and I never checked the weather - just ignorant. Couple of times caught in the rough and took an hour and a half to get home - bailing water the whole way. Lucky I was reasonbly cautious and bought heaps of fuel, but I could have easily been one of those on the news. Thinking back - it was damn scary actually, can't believe I did it.

Now I only go out if the conditions are up to it, and my boat is bigger, and I've learnt how to handle the swell a bit better. I've also invested in an epirb and flares, even though they aren't required for the area I fish. Plus I've learnt how to read the weather and to know when the tide will be against the wind.

I wish someone had taught me this stuff when I started...

[DaMaGe]

I don't think the Sea breeze site, or the BOM site is available while camping on Moreton Island. Nor is it easy enough to dial a weather station number to get a quick forecast, (unless you had it saved in your contacts or speed dial)

Sometimes the mornings on the Bay are fairly peaceful and seem to get worst through the day, but in this case the storm late afternoon evening turned the bay into what we call a washing machine.

Perhaps better judgement was in order before launching the boat from Moreton Island with his kids.

The news had even stated the weather got nasty without much prediction and there is going to be an enquiry why it was not properly forecast.

My condolences for the victim that drowned, that is very unfortunate indeed.

Am I right when I say the Xmas 2005 holiday has the least amount of Water/Boat incidents this year then other years, I believe I heard a statistic to this on the radio? Besides the recent tragedy, the waterways have been very good, with little alcohol abuse, limited injury's to personal watercraft and not a lot of incidents with boating issues and the like etc etc.

So we take a few steps forward, but one mighty step back.