Irish paddleboarders swept into Atlantic survive by clinging to lobster buoy
- Thread starter LittleSister
- Start date
Achosenman
Active member
I just don't understand why people don't carry a PLB.
Catalina36
N/A
Because they can't take photos like an iPhone can and they can't connect to Twitter.
Achosenman
Active member
Sadly, I think you're right.
dom
Well-known member
Before we get too judgmental here, these were two young girls out for a bit of fun. And I know those waters well having spend my youth sailing there and having been involved with local rescue operations: they are generally austere, blowy, and often rough.
But when the wind turns to the NE and the temperatures soar, one can find some of the most beautiful waters and coastlines I have ever seen, a sereneness enhanced in the quiet creeks and inlets by the shelter of a lee shore. Drift blissfully out a little and one soon meets an old acquaintance - the swell - lolling around and the wind has by now risen a smidge as one begins to lose the lee of the land; before long tides start to complicate matters. One is now in the Atlantic! This was just a mistake, that's all and they will have learnt a valuable lesson.
Top marks to all of the SAR teams - fantastic effort and an even better result!
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RichardS
N/A
I'm delighted that they have been rescued. It's good to see young people actually getting away from phone screens, drugs, alcohol and sex.
They will have learned a valuable lesson and the SAR teams will be delighted to have answered a shout and got a great result. It's what those guys live for.
Richard
They will have learned a valuable lesson and the SAR teams will be delighted to have answered a shout and got a great result. It's what those guys live for.
Richard
Stemar
Well-known member
If I were paddleboarding with no intention of going far out, I wouldn't think about a PLB any more than if I were on a lilo. We know about these things, but what's the likelihood of a couple of teens with no particular connection to the sea even having heard of them? If the rescue services thought it was a good idea, they had a perfect opportunity for getting the message out, but they didn't.
Just glad they're safe and well.
Just glad they're safe and well.
Sandy
Well-known member
And people whinge about pots in deep water.
peteK
Well-known member
I am surprised they didnt have a mobile phone,perhaps they left it ashore thinking it may get damaged.
Slowtack
Well-known member
Mobile phone on a paddleboard
??? would you carry one on a sufboard or windsurfer?
??? would you carry one on a sufboard or windsurfer?
Davy_S
Well-known member
How the hell are they supposed to take a selfie without one?
dom
Well-known member
CLB
Well-known member
It's good to see young people actually getting away from phone screens, drugs, alcohol and sex.
You're only jealous
CLB
Well-known member
Most modern phones are waterproof now, but even if not, waterproof cases are available.
fredrussell
Well-known member
I’d be keener on “getting away” from sailing and focusing my attention on those four things instead! Well, three of them, anyway.
kof
Active member
Serious? Because these people wouldn't know a PLB if it hit them square on the nose. They also hadn't planned to go far - just off a beach and then circumstances conspired to get them into trouble..
Achosenman
Active member
I don't plan to hurt myself when I use a chainsaw in an isolated location. It's a possibility, so I take precautions. When I go walkabout on the top of a Scottish mountain I take precautions. I don't plan on getting hurt, but I understand that sometimes "stuff" happens.
Some activities require a bit of thought and kit in case you need help. Messing about on the water is firmly in that category.
dom
Well-known member
Come on, PLBs, AIS Beacons, etc. couldn't seriously be envisaged by two accidental offshore swimmers; for serious paddle boarders maybe, but surely not by two youngsters out for a pootle? To the uninitiated and even the experts sometimes, those waters can deceive, especially on sunny days with seemingly benign offshore winds.
And what is to be gained by being so judgmental here? The SAR services performed flawlessly and the two girls should be commended in hanging on for dear life in what must have been a terrifying ordeal for them. To cap it off, a valuable lesson has been learned, by the two girls of course but also by everyone who reads this story.
I'd say, fab result and leave it at that
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Irish Rover
Well-known member
If the reports I saw in the Irish media are correct they went out at 21.30 which was some 15 minutes after sunset and there was a definite offshore breeze(wind?). One was 23 years old. Highly irresponsible in my view and I think the authorities and the media should be saying so rather than building these idiots up as some kind of heroines.
LONG_KEELER
Well-known member
It's a great advertisement for anyone to hang on in there and never give up.
15 hours in the water must have felt like 15 days.
My rule of thumb is you are only an idiot if you repeat a mistake that you should have learned from.
But I still keep buying boats ...................................
15 hours in the water must have felt like 15 days.
My rule of thumb is you are only an idiot if you repeat a mistake that you should have learned from.
But I still keep buying boats ...................................