A frightful reminder

[bugman]

A very solemn story which will hopefully make us all think about our actions and being a little bit too complacent when we go fishing.

It only takes one wave.

ABC News 15/1/2003

A search is resuming on North Stradbroke Island this morning for a man who's thought to have been swept away by rough seas.

The 53-year old was last seen fishing on rocks in the south gorge area at Point Lookout late yesterday morning.

When his friends returned several hours later they found his tackle box and jacket, but the man and his fishing rod were missing.

Two helicopters, a jet ski and a small boat were being used in yesterday's search, which was called off due to rough surf and strong winds.




Here's the follow up

ABC News 15/1/2003

The body of a missing fisherman has been found on North Stradbroke Island.

The 53-year-old fisherman disappeared near Point Lookout yesterday...

His body was discovered washed up on Home Beach at four o'clock this morning.

[Lucky_Phill]

Yes, it's a sad day when one of us ( fishoes ) loses his life. More so, for the family of the victim.

This tragedy occurs all too often around our great coastline. In the majority of cases, it can be prevented.

Unfortunately, there are many of us who are uneducated in the dangers of what we do. We take our daily ' trips ' too lighty, we take a bar crossing for granted, we think we know were the sand bars are, no need to log in, when was the last time you checked your safety gear, I've been fishing these rocks all my life etc etc etc.

This tragedy and the recent boating incidents of some of our members here, highlight the fact that we are vunerable.

Take care out there, it's not a race to get to spot X and remember that the people you take into your boat, are YOUR responsibility ( their life and safety ). If somewhere you want to fish looks dangerous, then it probably is. ???

[craigie]

Does anybody know if this tragedy occured in the 'Razorback' or 'Whale Rock' area of Point Lookout ???

I believe this region is notoriously dangerous when there is a bit of a sea running !!

Craigie.

[mackmauler]

Off the gorge apparently, hate to say it but the fella had a death wish, the seas were huge.

[spinna]

Never rock hop alone. Never rock hop when big seas ar running.And always have one eye on the water. Always have a back door out. And if you dont know the area take some one who does.
Rock hopping would be the most dangerous form of fishing so pls people take care.
We have 3 to 4 deaths a year down this way and 99% are from people not knowing the area or going out when the seas are way to big.
Well thats the way i see it and im 43 and have been rock hopping from the age off 13.

cheers spinna

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

well said spinna.

The Point's an efficent widow maker. That's two in recent months. That finger of rock that sticks out from the southern side of North Gorge into the face of the gorge is notorious. I once saw three guys washed over that rock halfway down the back & the seas were relatively calm.

A lot of blokes make the mistake of running backward when they see a wall of water rather than getting down low, side on & letting the wave go over them, if it moves you, you'll get some scrapes but you'll generally keep in contact with the rock.

Sometimes even the experienced cop it. My brother got washed over the back of Snapper Rocks a few years back. We were shoulder to shoulder, both went down to the crouch when the wave hit - I stood up barely wet to find him halfway down the back climbing up giggling his stupid head off. The things you do for a feed of tailor.

chris