noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) Just heard some people washed off the rocks at Port Kembla again, I can see a helicopter buzzing around so something must have happened. Edited February 12, 2021 by noelm Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab1 Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 20 minutes ago, noelm said: Just heard some people washed off the rocks at Port Kembla again, I can see a helicopter buzzing around so something must have happened. It will never end mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 Just read on Facebook (so no idea how true it is) one person deceased, one in critical condition, and some rescue people injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wazatherfisherman Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 Stating the obvious but that's terrible for everyone involved, wonder how long the area will remain accessible. Prayers for the families and the injured 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 We went through this a few weeks ago, putting up signs, building fences and gates will not work, people will just ignore them, climb over them or wreck them and go fishing anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) If it's that dangerous & by all account by the death toll it is just ban fishing on the site! Anyone disobeying will be prosecuted & install cams & motion sensors. Problem solved. Edited February 12, 2021 by kingie chaser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazamcstaga Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 unfortunately Natural selection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, dazamcstaga said: unfortunately Natural selection Unfortunately other people risk their own lives to save these twits! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 The big issue is the location, it's a great spot, NE wind is at your back, there's a low ledge dropping into deepish water, and it's right in suburbia. The very geography of the ledge is were the danger lies, and this was also raised a couple of weeks ago, and a good video shows why people get washed off, a decent full swell in deep water just floods the ledge, the metre high step behind you stops the water, and it just builds and comes from behind, chest deep and you're in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 While it's easy to take the "ban everything" stand (and I don't fully disagree) it's not quite that black and white, where do you stop? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunastrike11 Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 Its about education about hill 60 you can not fish it on any type of decent south east or east running swell it can take your life very easily. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab1 Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 1 hour ago, noelm said: We went through this a few weeks ago, putting up signs, building fences and gates will not work, people will just ignore them, climb over them or wreck them and go fishing anyway. Those are the idiots I won't miss.Sadly like has been said 134876644554566556 times all over the place the ones that suffer are family and friends of the deceased all caused by the stupidity and selfishness of the deceased. I know it sounds bad but that's the bottom line unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/port-kembla-man-dead-another-critical-after-they-were-swept-off-the-rocks-c-2151631 Two dead. So sad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryNSW Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) easy to call these people idiots, but just remember a whole lot of people willingly go into the water everyday , swimming into rip currents, swimming while there are sharks in the water.... why are risky behaviour by swimmers and surfers tolerated but as soon as any rock fisherman gets swept in, news/media jumps in and call these people stupid and idiots? When was the last time you saw on a life guard rescuing a swimmer wearing life jackets at the beach? by the same standard we should name and shame everyone that needs rescuing swimming in the ocean and surfers that dress like seals asking for sharks to bite them.... The heart of the problem is people's inability to accurately assess risk, and not experienced enough to properly assess their ability. Until a few weeks ago I thought I was 100% safe on the rocks with my life jacket and my specialised rock fishing cleats.... had to learn the hard way but glad to be alive. Government need to start educating people that simply wearing life jacket and cleats is not enough to save your life in a dangerous spot. ps. if anyone is wondering, no, I haven't fished since that fateful day... bruises faded, cuts healed, but somehow just feel like a bit of a rest for a while. Edited February 12, 2021 by HenryNSW 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 Maybe the problem is people think it won't happen to me. Look at how people drive and some pedestrians cross the roads. Human nature. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 It's simply the location, there's a spot on Bass Point that gets fished by ten times the amount of people, it's shoulder to shoulder most days, BUT, the spot faces north, in anything but big swell, it's mostly flat, but the main reason is the very rocks themselves, Bass Point is just flat, waves come over, you get wet feet, most wear (wait for it...) waders or gumboots, but, the chances of going in are slim, it happens, but not often. Port Kembla gets lots of fishermen, but not like Bass Point, it gets fished mainly in the summer because of the prevailing NE wind, and the abundance of Salmon and Bonito, and I have said this dozens of times, and I know I'm like a broken record, but if only one person reads it, and tells his mate, it's worth repeating, over and over. As Henry can attest, and his video is in the last thread about this, it's the landscape that is the issue, the lower flat ledge, and the big wall behind you, couple that with deep water and the inexperienced can't "see" the swell coming, it's just a thick, full "hump" of water, no peaking up or breaking on shallow reef, once it is higher than the ledge, maybe 10 times a day? it just rolls over the flat rocks, gets stopped by the wall and all that water builds up then rushes back to the sea, waiste/chest deep, from behind, taking people and gear with it, there is little chance 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 This story and many like it, are all tragic regardless of the circumstances. My sincere condolences to their family and friends. Being aware of your surroundings and having the right safety equipment goes a long way to protecting your well being. This goes for all fisherman! River, rock, beach, boat, inshore, offshore all come with an element of risk on the calmest of days. At the end of the day......NO fish is worth dying for! Stay safe fishraiders and check your safety gear! cheers scratchie!!! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 Education is the go. But certain people will not lisen. People think it won't happen to me I am Bullet proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) How much more education can you give? There's been adds on TV, news that has these tragedies in them regularly, there's signs in a dozen languages, there's safety devices at these locations, there is countless incidents at this location, but, no one takes notice, I can see (unfortunately) a full lockout, but people will still skirt around the laws, but at least there's some legal recourse to fine those breaking the law, however, my biggest fear is, ban this spot, then another, then another. Sorry for ranting on about this, but it's something that really gets me riled up, I have been involved in way too many rescues and know what it's like for families waiting, Police and other organisations putting their own safety in peril, and the often tragic outcome. Edited February 12, 2021 by noelm Typo 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 5 minutes ago, noelm said: I can see (unfortunately) a full lockout, but people will still skirt around the laws, but at least there's some legal recourse the fine those breaking the law, however, my biggest fear is, ban this spot, then another, then another. How often is it the case that the few spoil it for the many 😒 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 47 minutes ago, noelm said: How much more education can you give? There's been adds on TV, news that has these tragedies in them regularly, there's signs in a dozen languages, there's safety devices at these locations, there is countless incidents at this location, but, no one takes notice, I can see (unfortunately) a full lockout, but people will still skirt around the laws, but at least there's some legal recourse to fine those breaking the law, however, my biggest fear is, ban this spot, then another, then another. Sorry for ranting on about this, but it's something that really gets me riled up, I have been involved in way too many rescues and know what it's like for families waiting, Police and other organisations putting their own safety in peril, and the often tragic outcome. All I can say to anyone reading this topic is this, lead by example and don’t put yourself in that statistic list! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 Just heard on the radio, 3 people washed in, 2 deceased and 1 in critical condition in hospital, all from western Sydney, a policeman swam out and saved one, and some others helped before rescue equipment arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganguddy Goodoo Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Got to feel for their family and friends. Got to feel for the guys themselves. Massive thanks to the copper who jumped in to rescue the guy. Brave man or woman. If I was a local at Port Kembla I'd be fighting very hard to keep fishing access to this area. Personally I think being able to self regulate your choice of recreation and adventure is really important to an individual's well being and the richness of society as a whole. Not sure where this quote comes from (motor racing?) "it is a privilege to do a sport that can kill you". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 The spot is safe IF (really big if) you know what goes on there, someone who just turns up, because they have heard it's good fishing, comes from miles away, with no rock fishing "clues" sees it as a great spot, nice and flat, a good area to put your gear, but that's where it ends, every hour or two, a bigger set comes through and if everything is right, you and your gear is in the water, real quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquibblyDibbly Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 I personally do not support bans at all, our governments are power hungry enough these days using any excuse to squash our freedoms. However this is nuts and these morons families are the ones who pay the price for their stupidity, the swell conditions today are so far beyond suitable for hill 60. Blind freddy could have watched the conditions for 2 minutes today and known not to fish there. 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