By BRIDGET COOK
A CASEY man helped save the lives of four fishermen after their boat sunk 55 kilometres offshore from Portland last week.
Blind Bight resident Simon Rinaldi moves up to Portland each tuna fishing season to run his business Red Hot Fishing Charters.
On Tuesday last week, Mr Rinaldi and his crew and passengers had to rush to the aid of a sinking vessel with four men on board.
“We were about a kilometre and a half away from the boat when it started going down,” he said.
“We noticed a day flare that they’d set off so we went over there.
“Four guys were on the boat, which had taken in waist-deep water.
“One guy was on the nose of the boat and the other three at the rear.
“We got the first guy off the nose and that changed the weight and the boat flipped and the other guys were in the water.”
Mr Rinaldi said the men were very lucky that they were so close.
“They were 55 kilometres of coast in 400 metre deep water,” he said.
“The water temp was quite cool and there was a current so they would have been dragged from the sinking vessel quite quickly.
“They were pretty quiet and a bit shaken, but rapt that we were there to help.”
Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) is now reminding those who plan to head offshore for the tuna fishing season to have an appropriate emergency procedure plan.
The incident adds to the 20 coastal offshore vessel disablements already reported across the state between 1 July 2012 and 31 March 2013.
TSV spokesperson Paul Corkill said Victoria’s tuna season was a popular event on the fishing calendar, particularly in south-western Victoria, and warned that there were risks that boaters needed to be aware of and prepared for.
“Developing an emergency procedure plan before heading offshore and knowing what steps to take in case of an emergency can be the difference between life and death,” he said.
“It is critically important that you have access to radio communication, flares and a registered emergency position indicating radio beacon as a means of raising the alarm.
“When out on the water, it is strongly recommended that you wear an approved life jacket at all times and carry all other necessary safety equipment onboard.
“Tuna are known to be found as far as 25 nautical miles off shore so boaters need to be aware that the safety equipment requirements are different for offshore boating.”
Boaters are also strongly advised to travel in groups so that there is someone nearby to help out in an emergency.
For guidance on emergency procedures, visit the TSV website www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au.
