In case you didn't read it in the Sunday Sun, below is what was in my article
It’s time that all sea anglers realised that our sport is dangerous, the only statistics available at the moment come from 2005, and prove it. There where eight fatalities among shore anglers, there have already been four already this year between Blackhall and Arbroath, and seven among boat anglers, never mind the near misses, which we all have experienced at least once. And sadly we have had experience of fatalities already this year. Then like other dangerous sports why do we not go prepared, of course we all wear suitable waterproof clothing when out in the winter fishing for cod when one of the most powerful elements known to nature is crashing along the shore. But why is the clothing we wear nearly always dark. No wonder the coastguard after every incident involving sea angler’s states, “if they wore bright clothing we might find anyone in trouble quicker”. But is it the sea angler’s fault, go into any tackle shop and 98% of clothing is dark. I know that Sonik after the latest tragedy, who’s staff knew the last casualty well, have started looking at high visibility clothing for sea anglers. There are many other ways, along with your high visibility clothing, which you can make yourself feel a little bit secure, always take your mobile with you in a waterproof container,
Wear a slim line life belt, which will hardly restrict your casting, that inflates when immersed in water, if you are knocked out you wouldn’t be able to blow it up yourself. I used to take a pack of mini flares with me, this was mainly for when I was boat fishing, but stayed in my pocket through the winter. Carrying a good whistle with you can also help searchers to locate you, one of the best but most expensive is to get yourself a mini Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) although it may cost around £200-£300, it will fit in your pocket and last for years, longer than any £200-£300 fishing rod would. You may say it will never happen to you, I hope it doesn’t, but it might and it doesn’t matter how well you know a mark, a freak wave, a fall, thick fog that completely disorientates you, a heart attack caused by excitement at catching a big fish, anything unexpected you can not discount. All the above may not save your life, or helped those who have had accidents in the past, but it just might. There is nothing worse than seeing a young family in tears at the loss of a loved one. Get yourselves seen and before you start thinking how much it would cost, what price do you put on your life, you can always make a rod last another season. Hope you let your partners, family, and friends read this, they may push you to look after yourself.
It’s time that all sea anglers realised that our sport is dangerous, the only statistics available at the moment come from 2005, and prove it. There where eight fatalities among shore anglers, there have already been four already this year between Blackhall and Arbroath, and seven among boat anglers, never mind the near misses, which we all have experienced at least once. And sadly we have had experience of fatalities already this year. Then like other dangerous sports why do we not go prepared, of course we all wear suitable waterproof clothing when out in the winter fishing for cod when one of the most powerful elements known to nature is crashing along the shore. But why is the clothing we wear nearly always dark. No wonder the coastguard after every incident involving sea angler’s states, “if they wore bright clothing we might find anyone in trouble quicker”. But is it the sea angler’s fault, go into any tackle shop and 98% of clothing is dark. I know that Sonik after the latest tragedy, who’s staff knew the last casualty well, have started looking at high visibility clothing for sea anglers. There are many other ways, along with your high visibility clothing, which you can make yourself feel a little bit secure, always take your mobile with you in a waterproof container,
Wear a slim line life belt, which will hardly restrict your casting, that inflates when immersed in water, if you are knocked out you wouldn’t be able to blow it up yourself. I used to take a pack of mini flares with me, this was mainly for when I was boat fishing, but stayed in my pocket through the winter. Carrying a good whistle with you can also help searchers to locate you, one of the best but most expensive is to get yourself a mini Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) although it may cost around £200-£300, it will fit in your pocket and last for years, longer than any £200-£300 fishing rod would. You may say it will never happen to you, I hope it doesn’t, but it might and it doesn’t matter how well you know a mark, a freak wave, a fall, thick fog that completely disorientates you, a heart attack caused by excitement at catching a big fish, anything unexpected you can not discount. All the above may not save your life, or helped those who have had accidents in the past, but it just might. There is nothing worse than seeing a young family in tears at the loss of a loved one. Get yourselves seen and before you start thinking how much it would cost, what price do you put on your life, you can always make a rod last another season. Hope you let your partners, family, and friends read this, they may push you to look after yourself.
cheers
