In light of the recent events that sadly happened on Loch Awe do we need a re-think on boat safety? I have often questioned the use of small open boats on some of the big Lochs of Scotland. I have experienced extremely rough conditions on Awe, Lomond, Tay and Shin also on some smaller Lochs like Venachar, Lubnaig and Eck. The weather changes so fast and some of the boats for hire have very poor engines not fit to pull you out of trouble quickly. I look at what the Americans, Canadians and even the Aussies use boat wise and think we lag behind. About 10 years ago i thought i was going to have to call the emergency services for a guy on Loch Awe. His boat was not moving because the wind was so strong and the waves made the Loch look more like the Sea. He had to edge the boat bit by bit to get near to the shore without it tipping over. I and my mate helped him out and to say he was white looking is an understatement. The thing is we spoke to him when he was setting up and the water was almost calm. I think we need to have a look at boats and their use on some of the larger Lochs and to do whatever it takes to prevent anymore people losing their lives.

I know where you're coming from. It seems slightly bizarre that while we need lots of tuition and a test before we can drive a car, any idiot can take a powered boat out on any water regardless of experience.

However, I do not believe that anything should be done about it, because the powers that be will always go over the top. Do we really want a certificate of ability to go out for a day's fishing.

I am also very wary of the over-sanitised life. When we are all wrapped in cotton wool and all forms of danger are removed from life, you can count me out. I'll take to the highlands with gun dog and rod.

I appreciate accidents are harrowing, and in this case begrieved relatives are left behind, and while my sympathies go out to those left behind, that's life. You can't outlaw accidental death.

__________________
Stan Headley

"I started this life with nothing......and I've still got most of it left!"

The news from Loch Awe is terrible, and my thoughts go out to the families concerned, I know Awe very well having fished it many times, from both boat and bank.

The main thing I would like to see on all Scottish waters is, Scots anglers sitting down. They all seem to have this urge to stand at all times. So any rethink on safety has to be with individuals, it's only on places like Leven that everyone sits down, where the fishing is literally policed, and you are told to sit down. There is no such policing on Awe, Earn or Assynt etc, and until there is, there will be more deaths, sad to say.

Caddisman

When I started I was lucky because the men who looked after me told me about balance in the boat, standing life belts size of engine and speed. They showed how to use the back oar and how to turn a boat. I dont know what size the boat was, but on a big lough a Burke's boat or Sheelin boat, at least 17 feet should really be the only one allowed.
Engine size too is fundamental.
But the most important of the lot is common sense
Having said all that there will still be idiots going onto lakes and all the rest of us can do is keep an eye on them
Whey they always travel on Angel's wings

You certainly can't but bring drink into the question & you have a whole new ball game. How do you legislate for that. Too often I have seen angling parties "camped" out, Loch Earn is a good case in point where the anglers have been "pished". Put a boat into the picture & we have a total new set of variables. We mention America, Take Florida for example. Anyone with a boat over 16ft is deemed to be a Captain or at least calls himself that. Do not know if they sit any exams but I doubt it. Answer, there is no answer. You can not legislate for stupidity. All we can do is advise & hope it is taken on board sad to say. The Loch Awe one is a tragedy & I have really no idea what happened to cause two anglers to loose their life just following their hobby fishing, though by accounts it was very foggy. The Big Lochs in particular can rear up from a millpond in the morning to a raging torrent in the afternoon & the unwary can be caught out if you do not see the warning signs. I know I was caught out in mid water once rounding the Pass of Brander to be met with big rolling waves all the way to Portsonnachan. Bloody scary it was even though I knew what to do.
Lomond is another water where it can change in a few hours. We really have to be careful out there.
Tight lines

__________________
"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

In my younger days i was a sponsored competition windsurfer, i even did the odd inland race at Rutland but mainly raced at sea. I had one of the highest instructional qualifications awarded by the RYA and i am a safety boat operator.

My point is this, although i have put on a litle weight..OK quite a bit of weight since my windsurfing days i still have very good balance on a boat, to that end i dont want some body telling me to sit when i am just as happy and safe on my feet. We have too many rules in this bloody nanny state.

A grown adult going on a boat should know his/her limitations and act accordingly.

I recently read on another forum i frequent that they are concidering putting a Maximum BHP on Motorbikes of 100BHP. Is their no end to this.

__________________
Please look at and sign this e-petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/13978

Not a lot of sponsored competition windsurfers in Glasgow are there.

Problem is they don't
Until that time

Rule of thumb, do not stand up in boats.
Tight Lines

__________________
"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"

What about adults? As i said, the point i was making was about my ability and i should be aloud to stand in a boat if i wish, not to be told to sit!!!

__________________
Please look at and sign this e-petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/13978

I don't think anyway should jump to conclusion until the facts are known, the first two bodies that were retrieved were wearing life jackets and its clear that the guys were regulars on Loch Awe and knew the water very well.

Although info is still coming in early reports suggests they were in the water and alive for a long time before they were found, the fog seems to have been the a big factor in their deaths and we all know from driving how quickly visibility can change.

For now my thoughts are with the families, this is a tragic accident.

I do think that at the very least any water that hires boats should have signs up offering free boat handling instruction. they could also have a laminated instruction book giving information on the engine (priming, starting, stopping), the boat in general and techniques for handling difficult conditions.

My local water has just added stickers on the boats with the contact number for for office in case of emergency and also instructing that you should raise 1 oar when in difficulty. Which is better than nothing but there they could surely do a little more at very little expense.

I had an engine fail in breezy conditions a week ago and had to beach the boat. Luckily my mate and I know what we're doing and knew how to tilt the engine and how to cross the water. There should be a manual giving instruction of tilting the engine etc. Interestingly no one came running when the oar went up, I had to walk down the bank to a place where I phone worked and call the office. In their defense they do patrol the late fairly regularly as the weather can change really quickly, it's a lake where you can really see four seasons in one day.

I agree that I don't want the authorities getting involved because they always over react, but life jackets should be like seat belts, a legal requirement.

Andy

__________________
Caught it on a Big Green Hairy Thing!