Nearly Run Over by a Motor Cruiser in PPB
Posted: 16 May 2020, 18:55
G’Day All,
I went out today off Edithvale for a fish for the first time in 2 months. My partner and I were happily fishing about 1-1.5km offshore (directly opposite the Life Saving Club) when a huge motor cruiser (40-50’) came directly at us at, what I would estimate at about 25 knots. We waved paddles and screamed out, but the idiot skippering it didn’t see us. The cruiser would have hit me flush on if I hadn’t paddled as fast as I could out of the way. He ended up missing me by about 0.5-1m and my partner by about 3m. The bow wave totally swamped me and somehow I didn’t fall out. The waves went over the top of my head. My partner said there were two bloke on the bridge talking to each other and didn’t even realise they had nearly hit us. Luckily we had pull up anchor 5 minutes before this and were drifting for flatties.
The episode totally shook us up and we went back in. How could they not see us, we waving paddles and screaming at the top of our lungs? Both in bright red kayaks 5.4m and 4.5m and wearing bright clothing. After this scare I’ll be flying an elevated flag and purchasing an air horn like I used to have in my boat.
Stay safe and alert and make sure you have all your safety gear before heading out. My life jacket would have potentially saved my life if I survived the impact?
Regards,
Robert
I went out today off Edithvale for a fish for the first time in 2 months. My partner and I were happily fishing about 1-1.5km offshore (directly opposite the Life Saving Club) when a huge motor cruiser (40-50’) came directly at us at, what I would estimate at about 25 knots. We waved paddles and screamed out, but the idiot skippering it didn’t see us. The cruiser would have hit me flush on if I hadn’t paddled as fast as I could out of the way. He ended up missing me by about 0.5-1m and my partner by about 3m. The bow wave totally swamped me and somehow I didn’t fall out. The waves went over the top of my head. My partner said there were two bloke on the bridge talking to each other and didn’t even realise they had nearly hit us. Luckily we had pull up anchor 5 minutes before this and were drifting for flatties.
The episode totally shook us up and we went back in. How could they not see us, we waving paddles and screaming at the top of our lungs? Both in bright red kayaks 5.4m and 4.5m and wearing bright clothing. After this scare I’ll be flying an elevated flag and purchasing an air horn like I used to have in my boat.
Stay safe and alert and make sure you have all your safety gear before heading out. My life jacket would have potentially saved my life if I survived the impact?
Regards,
Robert
