Another rockfishing accident.

[puregeek]

Just read this article in the smh. Another day another life, i wonder how many more lives need to be taken before safety precautions are made mandatory. Why dont these people wear inflatable life vest or something on those lines. So sad to read articles like this on such a beautiful fishing day.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rock-fisherman-missing-off-sydney-after-fall-20120331-1w4p0.html

[Jew Stalker]

Just read this article in the smh. Another day another life, i wonder how many more lives need to be taken before safety precautions are made mandatory. Why dont these people wear inflatable life vest or something on those lines. So sad to read articles like this on such a beautiful fishing day.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rock-fisherman-missing-off-sydney-after-fall-20120331-1w4p0.html

Unfortunately it seems to be occurring more. There is a certain stigma it seems when you wear a jacket on the rocks. I wear mine all the time along with my rock cleats and frequently get glances or snide comments like "If you can't swim you shouldn't be here" (yet I am a 34 year old very strong swimmer), or "you don't need those there is no swell", or "What do you want those for?" or "I think someone is a little too cautious"... Most of the time I just shrug it off with a bit of common sense but there is still a certain sense of unease at being ridiculed. Once or twice though I have retorted with a "well if we get swept off the rocks I know who I am swimming away from hehehe". Honestly though after my friends found "Bob" floating in the water a month or so ago I wont go anywhere near the rocks without my safety gear.

If it were mandatory to wear lifejackets whilst fishing rocks I foresee a lot of people becoming unhappy with the prospect of getting fined whilst fishing and people who would fish frequently off the stones would soon not fish much at all and on a larger scale dollars poured into the economy from rec fisho's would reduce and the government couldn't have that... So I don't see it ever happening. On the other side of the coin it makes perfect sense to you and I to just continue wearing our gear and knowing that if anything happens we are going to be pretty right because since the start of recorded history on rock fishing fatalities not one person has died whilst wearing one. Most recorded rock fishing fatalities are caused by people not being able to remain afloat in choppy water until help arrives, though quite a few are pounded on rocks trying to exit the water and are knocked unconscious and drown. Either way wearing your gear and swimming away from the rocks and waiting until help arrives (unless you have a safe exit point away from waves and swell) will see you surviving every time.

Nature has ways of removing us from the gene pool in a matter of unexpected seconds, the smarter ones of us will not fall to Darwin's natural selection so let us all get a bit smarter and save our loved ones some sorrow. Lets face it, there are others which care about us too and would hate to see us dead for any reason let alone something as trivial as a fish.

Fish smart, fish safe.

Luc.

[Fab1]

Unfortunately people have to get out of the IT WON,T HAPPEN TO ME SYNDROME,as it CAN HAPPEN in the blink of an eye TO THE BEST OF US. THEY NEED TO wake up to themselves and use the proper SAFETY equipment AT ALL TIMES and seek out EXPERIENCED fisherman to fish with in groups and have a plan B course of action ready incase of emergency, and if they can not swim LEARN TO SWIM and don,t go near the ROCKS UNTIL THEY CAN.When im out on the water BEFORE/DURING going on to the ROCKS or out in my BOAT I always ask myself WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS?THEN WHAT?And iv,e always got a backup plan.

Touch wood i haven,t needed that backup plan as yet.Mate it is always sad when tradgedys like this happens but unfortunatly like i said above this won,t be the last until people put more forethought into there trips and start using that grey matter upstairs a bit more.

[GORRRN]

Just read this article in the smh. Another day another life, i wonder how many more lives need to be taken before safety precautions are made mandatory. Why dont these people wear inflatable life vest or something on those lines. So sad to read articles like this on such a beautiful fishing day.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/rock-fisherman-missing-off-sydney-after-fall-20120331-1w4p0.html

It definitely is sad and a waste, and i certainly wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

However i do get a bit sick of the government having to step in and make things mandatory, or suggestions that the government is to blame for not making it safer. At some stage people need to take responsibility for themselves. If they don't think they need safety gear and something happens then no one is to blame but themselves.

I don't do rock fishing yet but when i start i will definitely be getting some proper safety gear, and people really need to have a good look at themselves when there excuse is the safety gear is to expensive. Its pretty bloody cheap when it ends up saving your life, buy a cheaper rod and reel, or don't get that extra reel and buy a decent life jacket instead.

And instead of trying to force more laws on people why don't the government step up and subsidise some of the safety gear, send everyone with a fishing licence a voucher or set up a purchase system on the fisheries site where they can purchase one of the quality jackets for a reduced price. Where every licence holder can purchase 1 jacket at a much cheaper price. I honestly don't think making things mandatory and issuing fines is ever going to be a solution, its simply going to make more fisho's think they do it for revenue raising.

Edit: And there simply aren't enough fisheries officers as it is, give them an extra thing to enforce isn't going to make a difference.

Edited March 31, 2012 by renegade40d

[Twinfisher 4.9]

I have to agree renegade40d, we really don't want more legislation and enforcement would be near on impossible. Appealing to people's common sense would be good, except it isn't all that common. I fished the rocks for 20 or more years until I purchased a boat. I would fish several times a week and frequently on my own and had never found myself in any trouble. My golden rule, if in any doubt then don't, and if you do, never take your eyes off the ocean and have an escape plan.

I feel very much for those who lose a loved one, but let's not impose restrictions on the vast majority who do it safely.

[abecedarian]

There are a lot of people who argue against a life jacket saying it'll just restrict your swimming and you'll be pounded up against the rocks again and again. Fact is, unless the waves are breaking on top of you this simply isn't true. How many times do you throw out a float and it just bobs up and down with the wave action? That's what will happen with a life jacket. You may be brought in closer slowly, but nothing you can't swim away from.

Fact is, they're a good idea, but people will shit all over good ideas just because they didn't think of it. A friend of mine used to be given hell for wearing a full faced helmet when riding by his riding mates. One day he was collected by a car and once his mates saw the damage to the front of his helmet and the lack of damage to him, they all went out the next day and bought one!

If you're going to rock fish then get a jacket and cleats. If you don't have these items, then don't rock fish. And if idiots give you grief about it, just ignore them because chances are you'll be fishing a lot longer than they will.

[Ray R]

Sad to hear and I feel for the family, I was down at Avoca today and the conditions were very tricky indeed due to the east swell.

I really don't know how to fix this except for dilligence and observation.

Condolenses..

[rosesayshi]

It really isn't worth the risk I too feel very sad for the family

[piratesgold]

something that doesnt help, is the tv fishing celebs, you very rarely see them wearing PFD's, wern't even wearing shirts the other day, but you didn,t see sunblock being applied, nor mentioned. i wounder if the sponors realize the bad habits. if you could design a 'macho' PFD that everyone would want to be seen in it would help. what is wrong with the inflatable ones, they are not bulky, not restrictive, and lets face it, cost less than a dozen decent lures (which if you are like me end up lost)these flash shirts with logos and manufacturers names all over cost more than a PFD. another problem is the age old image that most people have of the bulky block type PFD's and the chunky waistcoat type that would be hell on a hot day, even Worstlings kid looks like a michelin man with one on, not a good look

[abecedarian]

Those rashie shirts from our new sponsor look the goods. Fro what I can gather they look just like a shirt and you wouldn't know you're wearing a PFD.

The cost of PFDs now is bugger all. A decent manual inflatable is only $70 if you look around, maybe even cheaper. That's pretty cheap insurance if you ask me.

[fisholb]

PFD must be made compulsory for all rocks fishos in order to save lives...just imagine those people who perished if they were wearing one. They probably be still here with us. I feel sorry for the people they left behind.

[GORRRN]

PFD must be made compulsory for all rocks fishos in order to save lives...just imagine those people who perished if they were wearing one. They probably be still here with us. I feel sorry for the people they left behind.

I honestly dont get this, making it compulsory is going to do nothing except piss people off as they will think its about making more money from fines. And there is simply not enough fisheries officers out there to enforce it, so its just going to be another law that isn't followed. Like wearing like jackets while crossing a bar.

Making new laws does not solve the problem. It's simply an easy out for the authorities so they can say "look we made it compulsory", and making it compulsory simply does not equate to saving lives.

Edited April 1, 2012 by renegade40d

[matt84]

life jackets might save lives in some cases were someone goes in and floats out. but how about those situations were waves keep smashing up against barnacle covered rocks, shallow water, breakers before the rocks, are you going to be able to dive under waves and swim out of the danger zone with an inflated life jacket or are you gonna get tossed around like a rag doll over the rocks.

this life jacket thing keeps coming up, if you wanna were a life jacket go for it, but its not an answer. use some common sense, don't put yourself in a situation you know might be risky. Life jackets will only give some people a false sense of security, they will take more risks, i will be fine i have a life jacket on mentality.

Someone got cleaned up by there board and drowned this week too, are we gonna make them were life jackets and helmets?

Edited April 1, 2012 by matt84

[abecedarian]

life jackets might save lives in some cases were someone goes in and floats out. but how about those situations were waves keep smashing up against barnacle covered rocks, shallow water, breakers before the rocks, are you going to be able to dive under waves and swim out of the danger zone with an inflated life jacket or are you gonna get tossed around like a rag doll over the rocks.

this life jacket thing keeps coming up, if you wanna were a life jacket go for it, but its not an answer. use some common sense, don't put yourself in a situation you know might be risky. Life jackets will only give some people a false sense of security, they will take more risks, i will be fine i have a life jacket on mentality.

Someone got cleaned up by there board and drowned this week too, are we gonna make them were life jackets and helmets?

Next time you're on the rocks just throw out a balloon with a little water ballast in it and you'll see my point. They just boup and down and only just gradually move either in or out. Unless there are waves breaking right over your head, an inflated life jacket is a advantage. The best in my opinion is a manual inflatable one, they let you get clear before inflating. The thing is though, in your situation with no floatations device, what happens once you clear the waves? Remember to take into account any injury you will most likely have, torn ligaments, busted knee, cuts etc. Do you really think you'd be able to tread water until help arrived? Or swim several hundred meters to safety? Doesn't matter how good a swimmer you are, nursing the type of injuries you can get from being knocked off the rocks are really going to inhibit your abilities. Thinking you'll be fine and can easily swim the 300 or more meters to the beach or safe exit spot is having w little too much faith in your abilities...

But, you do make a good point. They aren't the answer, just part of it. A life jacket isn't a guarantee of safety, just like cleats or angel rings aren't a guarantee. And they could easily lull an inexperienced angler into a false sense of security. The problem is though, people who go in don't tend to realize they're in trouble until they're wet. But when used in conjunction with a bit of know how and common sense (admittedly not that common but very necessary) they are a great idea and I think everyone should wear them of the rocks. As was pointed out before, how many people wearing life jackets have drowned off the rocks? None! Nuff said!!

Also, i agree that legislating it won't help. Education is the only way I think.

Edited April 1, 2012 by abecedarian

[caranx]

Doesn't matter if you are wearing cleats or jackets, some spots are dodgy in certain conditions. And as if people are all going to follow the rules. I get idiots turning up to my local spot wearing thongs or crocs and jeans, while we are wearing rock spikes and light clothing. And then they wonder why we give them funny looks. 10 mins later they are on the butts after slipping. Pretty sure those people will never wear one. Life jackets don't help if you slip and crack your head on the rocks ! They might help in some places if you go in, but in some spots they will add to your problems.

[piratesgold]

the media is really getting to chew on this, some pollie will want to make his name soon. question, which would you prefer

1, compulsory wearing of lifejackets whilst fishing from unfenced rocks

or

2, rock fishing ban

3,personally i would go for a volentary code of wearing PFD's with a# stern advice leaflet with the licence and fishing guides

[caranx]

Id go for your option 3...Option 2 will take the form of marine parks.

[abecedarian]

I think the most likely eventual outcome if things don't change will be a total ban on rock fishing. It would be a massive shame if it ever came to that but the fact is these inconsiderate and selfish people who fish the rocks without the proper safety and/or in dangerous conditions are a massive burden to the community. Every time some one goes in the water, whether they survive or not, a search and rescue operation more often than not has to take place. The rescue choppers and the specialist staff to operate them cost an absolute fortune to run. That money has to come from somewhere and when someone gets knocked off the rocks through stupidity that takes money away from our hospitals (already stretched too thin) or our public schools etc. The sooner people realize that going for a swim or dying off the rocks isn't just affecting them, but their family and the community at large, and the sooner they take proper precautions then the better off and more secure the future of this sport will be.

[J Hooked]

It’s such a hard topic to discuss. Life jackets make sense but as others have said making them compulsory may not be the answer. Videos on rock safety get through to a percentage of people but some people just don’t get it, as people say, “It will not happen to me.” I have to admit I never wore a life jacket when rock fishing and even went by myself. I was stupid to say the least. I always wore proper rock hopping boots and always told someone where I would be. I never thought it will happen to me as well and luckily it didn’t. I suppose when conditions were above what I couldn’t handle I would move or lick my wounds and go home without fishing. But sometimes it got the better of me and I stayed, risking my life.

I own a boat now and have all the offshore safety equipment. It costed a fair bit of money but how much money is your life worth?

It amazes me how the “It wont happen to me syndrome” affects people. Some of my work colleagues who have boats go offshore without a RADIO and EPIRB! “My boat is new or I know what I’m doing,” they say until they get in over their heads and they can’t contact anyone.

I suppose knowing your limits is the key but there is nothing wrong with that little bit of extra security tucked away in case we have a lapse of concentration and we accidentally slip in.

May They All Rest In Peace.

[General Zod]

"I'll be right" that's what some of my friends say. They been rock hopping for yrs and don't think they'll never were a pfd. Why, because it won't happen to them. I well keep on trying to convince them until they do. I've been there when someone has gone in and it's not a good site. Luckly everyone there helped. It would be awful to see someone go under, and what about there family and kids they leave behind. I always were mine and don't give a #^*t what other people think. Anyone I introduce to where I rock fish must wear a pfd or I well not take them, it's as simple as that, I tell them why and they never forget. The good thing is, where i rock fish more and more people are starting to wear pfd's. I think the more people wear them others well follow. I think magazines should set an example when they do rock fishing articles. People say life jackets aren't the answer, but say that when someone is in the drink and going under.

[benm]

I am predominantly a rock fisherman. I have never even seen anyone legislate illegal fishing on the rocks, so what hope would there be in legislating wearing a PFD?

Edited April 3, 2012 by benm