I know that the article is from a few years back, but it's been an awful year here, multiple fatalities on the same craft etc. No lifejackets is a common factor in all of them.
Yeah, it's tough for the NOK, but they shoulda had 'em on. There were three lads recently who had to abandon ship due to a fire, they drowned within sight of the CG helo. No jackets, cold water. So many more that I forget...
Sends the message home. It's only those who have been lucky enough never to need safety equipment that are here to say it's OTT I suppose. Those that aren't would obviously disagree if they could.
Very sad reading indeed . I have been on quite a few licensed charter fishing boats in the past and every boat I have been on , the skipper has never explained where life jackets and safety equipment is stored although I'm sure the correct safety equipment has been in place and there have been signs or stickers stating where they are , , does anyone think that it should be mandatory to insist that all passengers wear L J/ B Aids before these vessels are granted their licenses to ply their trade ? and if a passenger /fisherman refuses then they will not be allowed on the boat. Maybe the local councils should enforce this to stop tragedies like this from happening . I'm sure that if life jackets were worn on this occassion more lives would have been saved .
Imogen
