Push for life vest for rock anglers

17.05.2010

COMPULSORY life jackets for rock
anglers could save lives said two
high-profile fishing experts.
The call from TV personality Rex
Hunt and Canberra based author
and broadcaster Bryan Pratt follows
the death of five people from
two families on the NSW central
coast last week and comes as the
Bureau of Meteorology warns of
dangerous wind and wave conditions
along the coastline for this
weekend.
Hunt called on federal and state
governments to act quickly and
pass legislation making the use of
personal flotation devices compulsory
for rock fishing.
"We have to get legislation
through now for the compulsory
wearing of life flotation devices by
people who fish on the rocks, no
exceptions," he said.
"Do something now before
someone else loses their life and
the tragedy of these families
continues."
Pratt said people new to Australian
conditions are at particular
risk of drowning while rock fishing,
despite the launch of a multilingual
Federal Government
program, Don't Put Your Life on
the Line, in November last year.
"It's an ethnic-social problem
caused by having the best fishing
in the world," he said.
"They love the fish but they don't
have the awareness of the sea
conditions around Australia."
Research commissioned by the
NSW Government Water Safety
Taskforce confirms Pratt's view,
finding people from Asian backgrounds
- particularly those from
China, Korea and Vietnam -
combined to represent 49 per cent
of rock fishing deaths in NSW.
The five people who were swept
off a rock shelf at Catherine Hill
Bay, south of Newcastle, during a
Mother's Day fishing trip last
Sunday had moved to Australia
from Hong Kong.
A family friend said the group
had been fishing at Catherine Hill
Bay for five years and claimed the
area was "safe".
But Pratt said many people were
unable to see the potential risks of
rock fishing locations.
"You start fishing at low tide and
it seems very safe, but by the time
it's high tide you're in critical
danger," he said.
"Always fish with a mate, never
fish a wet rock, never turn your
back to the ocean and have a safety
plan about what you'll do if you do
get swept in."
Angel rings - stainless steel
poles with life buoys attached - are
installed at many popular fishing
spots up and down the NSW coast
and police confirmed the angel
ring on Flat Rock had been used,
meaning one or more of the group
died trying to save the others.
Pratt warned South Coast rock
fishers to be particularly wary of
Pretty Point, Merry Beach, Nuggan,
Moruya breakwater and
heads, Blackfellows Point and
Bingi.
"But in the long run, you really
can't stop people from fishing in
dangerous spots," he said.

STAYING SAFE CLOSE TO THE WATER
BE SAFE - know the conditions
Fish only in places that you know are safe
Spend at least 30 minutes watching the
wind and rain action
Know the tide and weather
Never fish alone
Tell someone where you are
If conditions worsen, find a calmer, more
sheltered spot, or go home

BE PREPARED - take the right gear
Wear shoes with non-slip soles or cleats
Wear light clothing
Wear a life jacket, especially if you are
not a good swimmer, or you are fishing
alone
Carry a rope and a float with you

SURVIVE - know what to do in case of
an emergency
Do notjump in if someone is washed into
the water
Use your rope or something that floats to
rescue the person
Dial 000 on your mobile phone or go to
get help
If you're swept in, don't panic. Stay calm
and swim away from the rocks and either
look for a safe place to come ashore, or
wait for help to arrive
If there's an Angel Ring nearby, know how
to use it

Source: Surf Life Saving Australia