The loss of Walkabout

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Really sorry, it's a really cruel life happening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEo_hR9n7ys

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Dear auspn84,

never saw a fisherman do that: you were singularly "blessed."

I didn't say so before, but want to do now: condolences, mate. Really sorry, it's a really cruel life happening.

Ann

Thanks Ann, that’s really kind.

It sucks but will free up a bit of capital for me to buy my first house, and then I can start the whole boat thing again.

I think the lesson is to just buy one already in the US or Carib, rather than try and sail over there!

N

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by ausnp84

Agreed - and this is daylight as well as night.

On a previous Biscay crossing we had a fisherman (~50ft trawler) suddenly change direction and cause complete navigation with our course.... as they wanted to show us the pod of dolphins following them. Sweet, but slightly mental.

And don’t even get me started on unlit crab and lobster pots.

Thanks, I've never been there so I had no frame of reference. This adds to the picture.

Whenever there's a loss like this, and beyond the obvious sadness for all involved, I always try to look for the "silver lining" of lessons we can learn.

In this case, my take-away is to avoid running blind. Be it a sail, fog, or a dirty windshield blocking my view, I hope I never find myself trying to push my luck. Yes, I've done it before. And yes, I've had a close call. Never again!

[JPA Cate]

@ Capt. Tom:

Yes, it can be bloody scary. It's why I warn people the radar can go blind. Because sudden blindness when you're counting on it can be way, way dangerous. Depends on the number of hazards and how fast they're traveling, and how fast you're traveling. In a thunderstorm with both anemometer and knotmeter pegged was not the best of timing.

Why were we there? arriving from offshore at a new country. It happens. PLus, I really think we should be able to handle sudden condition changes. The greeny black of the approaching T/S, the curl of the approaching roll cloud. Just should have gone to the 3rd reef, instead of the 2nd. The headsail was put away.

Ann

[boatman61]

Well one thing that this event has changed is my carry on gear for deliveries..
On top of my personal Navigation system, personal VHF, Pilot Charts and Spot Beacon I have now added a Nomad AIS portable transponder which decreases even further my reliance on existing on board equipment that comes with a vessel.
Not that this is any guarantee as its common for fishing vessels to turn off their AIS to conceal their position from competition and ships have been known to leave port without switching on their AIS.. but it will improve the odds greatly in my favour.. Inshallah.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Well one thing that this event has changed is my carry on gear for deliveries...

Forewarned is forearmed

[Tillsbury]

Kudos for your posts, boatman, and for sticking with the boat for the owner’s sake.

Personally I think that all vessels of any significant size (say over 10m) should be confiscated by their government if they’re found to be operating without transmitting AIS. The idea that the other fishing boats in the harbour don’t know where the best fishing spots are is just nonsense.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Kudos for your posts, boatman, and for sticking with the boat for the owner’s sake.

Personally I think that all vessels of any significant size (say over 10m) should be confiscated by their government if they’re found to be operating without transmitting AIS. The idea that the other fishing boats in the harbour don’t know where the best fishing spots are is just nonsense.

Yep just what I want, to be chipped by the government. How in the world did we ever get by without AIS? It’s a wonder.

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Kudos for your posts, boatman, and for sticking with the boat for the owner’s sake.

Personally I think that all vessels of any significant size (say over 10m) should be confiscated by their government if they’re found to be operating without transmitting AIS. The idea that the other fishing boats in the harbour don’t know where the best fishing spots are is just nonsense.

hate govt interference with a passion, but on this one i'm in 100% agreement : make AIS compulsory for everything over 10m

as regards smj's comments : i understand your view but once upon a time we got by without seatbelts too. the world moves on and new tech is developed. we have to move with it.

AIS is cheap, easy and enormously effective and there is no logical argument against it

cheers,

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by smj

Yep just what I want, to be chipped by the government. How in the world did we ever get by without AIS? It’s a wonder.

Exactly! However did the Hiscocks and Pardeys, along with tens of thousands of boats since, ever venture out of harbour and into the big bad ocean without AIS🙄

Technology has it’s place, but an over reliance on it is lunacy.

N

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by chrisr

hate govt interference with a passion, but on this one i'm in 100% agreement : make AIS compulsory for everything over 10m cheers,

There are alot of European inshore fishing boats that have licences for under 10m boats. Likely single manned and operated on almost a subsistence standard living. These are are likely a greater risk than say a large trawler or crab boat.

Pete

[Tupaia]

Compulsory AIS is just a knee jerk reaction to one sad incident that nanny state politicians will see as a way of creating jobs and further taxation and reducing personal responsibility.

Ever been hit by an uninsured car? Legislating never works and lulls people into a false sence of security.

There will always be "less than good citizens", boat owners who wont pay for AIS, drug boats, immigrant boats, smugglers, fishermen etc etc who will flout the law and quite frankly the enforement authorities have better more important things to do than police whether a boat has an AIS or it is operating.

Asia and East Africa is filled with large schoners and out-riggers with no engines, lights or nav equipment let alone an "AIS"

AIS is the best thing to hit the boating world post radar and I would recommend everyone get one, but making it a legal requirement will result in taxation of the good guys and fines for the occational failure by a good guy while the bad guys just ignore it completely.

That is not to say that in certain areas of heavy shipping, Singapore for example are wrong to impose a requirement for AIS transponders when transiting their waters. But this is a specific case.

There are far more dangerous things at sea than not having an AIS.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by boatman61

... I have now added a Nomad AIS portable transponder...

Truly sounds like some bad luck. But Someone was looking out for you- and the boat. Glad to hear He was! After reading your posts, I made a mental note about preserving the evidence.

Thanks for sharing about the portable AIS. Did not know this existed until you posted it. But it is getting to the point where the weight of the “necessary” stuff— EPIRB, VHF, Iridium GO, tablet, harness, tether, jackline, foulies, proper first aid kit, etc will get so close to 50 lbs, that clean will be underwear a luxury for delivery guys.

Will keep my eye out for the formal report

[Tillsbury]

Originally Posted by ausnp84

Exactly! However did the Hiscocks and Pardeys, along with tens of thousands of boats since, ever venture out of harbour and into the big bad ocean without AIS🙄

Technology has it’s place, but an over reliance on it is lunacy.

N

When the Pardeys were crossing oceans, there were a lot fewer boats out there and the overwhelming majority of them knew what they were doing. Nowadays many areas are full of idiots.

Also, somewhat pointless referring back to a time before AIS existed. It's a recent development, cheap, and a dramatic contributor to safety at sea. Suggesting we don't need such a thing is bonkers.

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

When the Pardeys were crossing oceans, there were a lot fewer boats out there and the overwhelming majority of them knew what they were doing. Nowadays many areas are full of idiots.

Also, somewhat pointless referring back to a time before AIS existed. It's a recent development, cheap, and a dramatic contributor to safety at sea. Suggesting we don't need such a thing is bonkers.