Red Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 (edited) G'day Raiders, Last saturday i rescued a couple of frantic middle aged men who were trapped in a burning boat. The smoke could be seen from quite a distance. There were no less than 15 boats (including the Water Police) within 500m from these gentlemen yet no one went to help . Anyhow, I had to bolt from Bare Island to the first runway to assist. Extinguished the fire and towed the greatful gentlemen back to the ramp. These fine men were of Chinese origin and their english was quite broken. They kept saying, thank you......thank you and thats all i expected. One of the chaps asks for my phone number incase he needed a witness and i was only too happy to supply the info. Today, i get a call from one of the gentlemen asking for my work address. He drives into the city to meet me and produces a bag of goodies. I said, you don't have to do this mate, just please rescue me when i'm in trouble. Your thank yous and smiles were more than enough for me. He insisted i accept the gift which consisted of a "one litre" bottle of Jonnie Walker Black Label, a $50 bottle of wine and beautiful silk tie. I was gobsmacked to say the least. My faith in humanity was restored by this one event and there's been an extra spring in my step all day. In a world with so much crime and shame its nice to know that there are out and out champions still in existance. I know this has little to do with fishing but i just had to tell this story to someone Regards Red Edited May 8, 2007 by Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Duffell Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Mate what a wonderful story or compassion and kindness between cultural barriers ... if only we could see this happen more often in todays society... great story mate thamks for sharing Cheers, Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domza Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 good on you for helping them mate, and its great to see you rewarded its often people will get towed and not so much as a 'thank you' will be said.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 That's gold Red !!!! In true raider spirit!!! What a terrific outcome for all. Good on you for going out of your way to help another in need. Thanks for sharing that inspirational story Ange Cheers mrsswordfisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I think this is the one area I'd like to think Karma exists. Good stuff mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Reely Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 That is one awe inspiring read! Red you are and always have been a true Gentleman and scholar! We need more Reds in the world! K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris 55 Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Onya Red You deserve any rewards that come your way for helping out and not expecting anything Good Karma to you Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharky Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Gees Red a one liter bottle of Black lable no wonder you had a spring in your step A great story mate awsome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightmanager Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 A double to you Ange , this is the calibre of your average Fishraider !! Boat fires can be as hazardous to the rescuers , as to the occupants , quick thinking and a cool head saved the day ! Enjoy your gifts old mate , you have more than earned them ! Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishingrod Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 ............ Extinguished the fire and towed the greatful gentlemen back to the ramp. What was actually on fire, and what type of boat was it, if i may ask ? Just in general terms. Boat fires interest me. Ive never had a fire aboard my own boat and plan not to. Ive attended a couple of cruiser fires and evacuated people of the boat. You dont think twice, you just do it. I do remember asking him what type of fuel he had on board and where it was stored. There was a mad scramble too get as many fire extingusishers as we could find on the duty wharf before taking off at a zillion MPH. Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishyfingers Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 GOOD ON YA RED! Mate I've been rescued twice (once dead battery and once when I forgot to put the split pin back in after working on the mototr and my $400 s/steel prop flew off) and I KNOW it's because of Karma! I stop to help everyone who needs it cause one day, even if I don't, one of my kids may need help or my wife or mum might break down somewhere and I'd like to think that someone decent would stop and help. I've even pulled up to people who I thought were in trouble and turns out they were re-rigging or have lost something in the boat. Good on ya mate .... people like you deserve to be rewarded! PS: anyone that comes across a s/steel prop under the red marker at Sow'n'Pigs, can you please PM me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Red, I'm gobsmacked by the entire story. Good on you for helping out & good on them for recognising your good deed. Great stuff! Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolan Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 To take a line from Swordie, thats absolute Gold!! And I bet that spring in your step will last quite a while( Unless you drink the Scotch in 1 night ) I only hope that if my kids get into that sort of trouble, someone like you is around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmoshe Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 An inspirational read Red and good on you for helping to narrow the divide between people of different ethnic origins. After all...we are all human beings on this planet and all life is precious. A truly heroic effort on your part and I agree with others that Karma works in the best way by helping others. Enjoy that bottle of JB Black and remember their gratitude and thanks and your kindly efforts with every sip. A true Raider in every sense of the word. The other thing that amazes me is why the police didn't go to their assistance first off. Good on you mate. Cheers, Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 Raiders, the Australian Chinese community should be proud of these men. What they did was totally unexpected by todays standards and quite frankly, i can't get over it. I learnt a big lesson whilst honeymooning. The and i went to Vanuatu and we had booked in for a night reef fishing trip for dogtooth tuna(my dream fish) with what turned out to be the dodgiest charter operator on the island. Thankfully we both got struck down by an awful bug which meant the good wife was crook in bed back at the resort. No bug was stopping me from going fishing for doggies . We were married for only four days now. To cut a long story short, the dodgy motor lost its gearbox in 400 fathoms of water in the middle of no where. This happened just after sunset. No radio, no flares, no one in sight and too deep to anchor The 15 knot wind was blowing us away from home. Anyhow, i fell asleep as there was nothing that could possibly be done to improve the situation. At 1:30am i was woken by the screaming skipper and deckie. In the distance they could see a light. It took ages for this light to get close enough. We flashed a torch, whilstled and yelled at the top of our lungs but the huge tri-hulled yacht sailed past us This was the lowest feeling imaginable. Never felt so gutted! We kept flashing at the now disappearing yacht and carrying on like right lunatics until somehow someone on the back deck must have seen our torch. The yacht started to turn and i yahooed like never before. WHAT A RELIEF! I've owed that person a huge debt of gratitude ever since. We arrived back in Vila at 6am and i was tucked in bed with my K.O'd wife at 6:30. She would have freaked out if she was on board and i thank god for making her sick on this day This experience was the wake up call i needed as a boat owner and have always helped a fellow boatie since. Its the right thing to do. There are no other options. Regards Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmak Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Good on you Red. Just rewards for your thoughtful deed. Our faith in humanity is restored alright - by your selfless act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 Pete, the Water Police were too busy checking boats at the 3rd runway. I couldn't believe my eyes. Rod, it was a fuel fire. Fuel leaked and burnt the motor, the tank, floor, seats, wiring etc The 4.5m tinnie was a mess. Ever seen a black yamaha? I've had one small fire on my boat that was luckily contained very quickly. Developed a bad habit of carrying a spare lighter in the glovebox but this formed some rust and seems did not shut properly after i lit a smoke. There must've been the slightest of flames left but it was enough to burn the maps and melt the glovebox. Never again will i use a rusty lighter. Regards Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I have met Ange on several occassions and this guy is right at the top of the tree as a TOP BLOKE. Nothing is too much trouble for Red and his demeanor is so cool and casual ,a true family man as well. I for one am better off for meeting this guy Great story mate and I hope if I ever get into trouble you are the person just round the corner Hope to catch up with you again on Thursady Night at Kingsgrove RSL. Cheers Stewy And for anyone who thinks I am pissing in Reds pocket ? forget it .When you meet him you will know what I am talkin about . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishingrod Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Rod, it was a fuel fire. Fuel leaked and burnt the ....... Thanks for the reply Red. Fuel fires scare me Ive just re run all new fuel lines with seperation from wiring and put a shut off valve close to the tank incase my fuel hose burns thru. cheers Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piss'n'Broke Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 (edited) Good to see there are still some true blue gents in the world. We have been at both ends of the rope, ie rescuing, AND being rescrued! The fact that they gave you something for your assistance further illustrates the fact that they truely appreicated what you did for them. In the past, an last tow in was only 4 weeks ago, Greg was offered $50, knocked that back, an accepted a beer instead Red you know now you have friends for life in these guys. If something happens to you (GAWD FORBID) an they are around they will do everything to save your bacon! These days we are quite happy to recieve a smile an thank you Sorry didnt mean to hijack your post Red! TOP POST D & G Edited May 9, 2007 by Dan and Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laredo Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Raiders, the Australian Chinese community should be proud of these men. What they did was totally unexpected by todays standards and quite frankly, i can't get over it. I learnt a big lesson whilst honeymooning. The and i went to Vanuatu and we had booked in for a night reef fishing trip for dogtooth tuna(my dream fish) with what turned out to be the dodgiest charter operator on the island. Thankfully we both got struck down by an awful bug which meant the good wife was crook in bed back at the resort. No bug was stopping me from going fishing for doggies . We were married for only four days now. To cut a long story short, the dodgy motor lost its gearbox in 400 fathoms of water in the middle of no where. This happened just after sunset. No radio, no flares, no one in sight and too deep to anchor The 15 knot wind was blowing us away from home. Anyhow, i fell asleep as there was nothing that could possibly be done to improve the situation. At 1:30am i was woken by the screaming skipper and deckie. In the distance they could see a light. It took ages for this light to get close enough. We flashed a torch, whilstled and yelled at the top of our lungs but the huge tri-hulled yacht sailed past us This was the lowest feeling imaginable. Never felt so gutted! We kept flashing at the now disappearing yacht and carrying on like right lunatics until somehow someone on the back deck must have seen our torch. The yacht started to turn and i yahooed like never before. WHAT A RELIEF! I've owed that person a huge debt of gratitude ever since. We arrived back in Vila at 6am and i was tucked in bed with my K.O'd wife at 6:30. She would have freaked out if she was on board and i thank god for making her sick on this day This experience was the wake up call i needed as a boat owner and have always helped a fellow boatie since. Its the right thing to do. There are no other options. Regards Red Shit, that must have been an experience. Where you aware they didn't have radio/flares etc when you set out that day ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnno Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Well Done Red you are a True Gentleman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Well done Angelo,those guys sure were lucky u were out there on the bay, Good Karma coming ur way for sure Bit of a worry that no one else closer seemed to wana give up fishing for a short time, and possibly save another human beings life. You deserve any rewards u got given and then some. penguin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankp Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 i just cant understand people now a days. how hard is it to help someone in need, it really frustrates me. well done red, true gentleman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 Cheers guys, this thread is not about me (i'm no hero) as i'm sure any raider would have done the same thing. This thread was inspired by the totally enexpected generosity that i experienced yesterday. I now have lots of admiration for our Chinese Australians and i'm sure that these two gentlemen will be the first to rescue a stranger should the situation arise. And yes, I do believe in Karma and i'm sure a 20kg jewfish on a hardbody will come my way this winter Bring it on! Regards Red p.s. Laredo, i didn't ask if they had the safety gear on board as you tend to expect a charter operation to have all this stuff by law. Won't be making that mistake again....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now