Sad News From Sydney

[Jhclay]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Yes, only met them in passing, but a very happy looking family, with nice, polite, mature kids. This will no doubt be absolutely devastating to them.

I agree. I came across them a few months ago in Sydney harbour. It seemed like a very happy ship. So sad.

[hzcruiser]

Very sad news indeed!


My heart goes out to the family and yes, the feel of guilt by the siblings and parents must be devastating.


About 6 weeks ago I believe I saw them on a public mooring off Palm Beach when I sailed into Pittwater. Very friendly kids, the three on deck immediately waved back to us.

This will take time to heal.

[wolfgal]

Such sadness, such huge and deep and wide sadness and loss has engulfed this beautiful family

my heart goes out to them



wolfgal

[Nikki S]

Oh that’s terribly sad. My heart goes out to the family. Met them in Spring Cove in January. Such a bubbly, welcoming, joyous bunch of kids loving life aboard. Wishing them strength to cope in the times ahead.

[JPA Cate]

I have more sad news, guys.

Their boat has been impounded. Welfare Services have declared it is too small to accommodate the family, in spite of the fact that they had been doing fine. The family was told it needed a 50 ft plus, boat to be "large" enough, in their opinion.

Zeinobyah's remains were cremated, her ashes scattered. The family is free to begin a healing process.

Still, I feel sad.

[Wotname]

Crikey, words fail me. The loss of the daughter was bad enough and now this interference...

Incredibility sad for the family.

[Fore and Aft]

Now if they wanted to get a bigger yacht I would support some crowd funding.
A yacht like this would suit them I think? I seem to remember an older ad saying there are plenty of bunks on board?

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tin-...ner/1201751913
Cheers

[s/v Moondancer]

This is a heart-breaking incident and condolences go to the parents. It is not stated if the child was or was not wearing a lifejacket.

In a previous life, for 25 years, I worked as a doctor in a pediatric intensive care unit. During those 25 years I took care of dozens of tragically injured children including several drownings. When faced with such a case you are the doctor for the entire family and must be sympathetic and none-judgemental. However, that does not mean that you ignore the root cause...small children do not cause their own injuries, 90% of serious injuries and drowning are caused by the negligence of the parents/supervisors...if a small child is not wearing a lifejacket on the water it is automatically negligence.

Arguments like...'children should be allowed freedom to be children' are only valid up to a point and that point is that you must use common sense. We have raised 3 children and recently 5 grandchildren who have a marvelously adventurous life, sailing, canoeing, skiing, rock climbing, fishing and hunting but they have never been on the water without a lifejacket and on the two occasions one of them went arse over tea kettle into the water they were wearing a lifejacket.

I am passionate about lifejackets because the last near-drowning I managed ended up as an organ donor.

[Fore and Aft]

s/v Moondancer you are a better parent than me thats for sure. My kids go occasionally without life jackets. We try to be vigilant but hey we are not perfect thats for sure. Blaming the parents for 90% of kids injuries, I smell a helicopter parent/grandparent?
Cheers

[s/v Moondancer]

For and Aft, spend a few weeks in a Pediatric ER and you might revise that number upwards!

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

I have more sad news, guys.

Their boat has been impounded. Welfare Services have declared it is too small to accommodate the family, in spite of the fact that they had been doing fine. The family was told it needed a 50 ft plus, boat to be "large" enough, in their opinion.

Zeinobyah's remains were cremated, her ashes scattered. The family is free to begin a healing process.

Still, I feel sad.

Not really surprising, sadly. A child has died, from a family not living a "normal" lifestyle. Family services would feel they had to take some action, however inappropriate. Would a 10 foot longer boat have prevented this tragedy? Seems unlikely.

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

I have more sad news, guys.

Their boat has been impounded. Welfare Services have declared it is too small to accommodate the family,
[...]

Oh dear, just when you thought they hit rock bottom. One wonders in which regulation it is defined how many feet of boat length one needs per person?
I guess most readers would be surprised to hear how many people lived on this boat, but where do you draw the line?

A gofundme campaign might indeed be a good idea, I'd certainly pitch in.

Thanks for keeping us updated, Ann!

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

I have more sad news, guys.

Their boat has been impounded. Welfare Services have declared it is too small to accommodate the family, in spite of the fact that they had been doing fine. The family was told it needed a 50 ft plus, boat to be "large" enough, in their opinion.

Zeinobyah's remains were cremated, her ashes scattered. The family is free to begin a healing process.

Still, I feel sad.

Very sad news indeed. I wonder, will Welfare Services pay for this "required" larger yacht? I think all of us know the answer to this.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

s/v Moondancer you are a better parent than me thats for sure. My kids go occasionally without life jackets. We try to be vigilant but hey we are not perfect thats for sure. Blaming the parents for 90% of kids injuries, I smell a helicopter parent/grandparent?
Cheers

Spot on!!

S/V Moondancer, I certainly empathize with you, as I was a paramedic for a number of years and I too saw tragedies such as this. While I agree that in some cases there is negligence, I think it is absurd to say "if a small child is not wearing a lifejacket on the water it is automatically negligence." People who live on land also suffer drownings. Little children cannot be watched 24/7. All too often we see toddlers who fall into creeks, or wander off and fall into a pool, or other bodies of water. Yes, care must be exercised around water, but it's no different around train tracks, roads, stairs, or any other hazard. Life is hazardous.

This of the conniptions the safety Nazis would have if they were around back in the thirties to the "negligence" in the below film. In particular, I direct your attention to the 2:15 and 2:35 minute marks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYIJGkhpEec

[daletournier]

Sometimes stuff just happens, bad stuff. Unfortunately our society always needs to assign responsibility or blame to someone or something.

These poor parents don't need guilt installed upon them.