Thankyou for this, nice one! I have been fishing from my own boat for approx 25 years. I have no qualifications but I have a will to live. I respect all advice from those that are qualified & as such do not take any risks. I am over cautious with weather forecasts & sea conditions. I do wear an auto inflate life jacket, but can take in & appreciate your points. I however am probably not as well trained in survival as you so for my peace of mind it makes me feel happier wearing one as I fish/boat mainly alone. I know it may not save me, but it just might. Thankyou for this very informative video with points I had never thought of. If anything it has made me even more aware of safe conditions! 👍🏻
Thanks for the feedback. For me, experience is better than qualifications and respect for the conditions and caution is better than a boatload of safety gear! Happy & safe boating 👍👍🎣🎣
Wise words Rob, thank you. One of my friends was actually killed because he had a life jacket on when he was accidentally ejected from his dory whilst bombing about in Poole Harbour many years ago. He didn't have the kill cord in place and whilst playing about, turning tight circles in his boat, the seat broke and he was flung overboard. He actually had his leg in plaster at that time and could therefore not swim but he was wearing a life jacket; the old type with long tassle tie-ups. The boat sped off and completed a wide circle and came back to where he was in the water. As it passed him the cords of his life jacket got caught in the prop and dragged him under - he drowned underneath the boat. The most bizarre of boating accidents - he was just 18. I now have a fishing boat similar to yours and mostly do wear a life jacket but I also sometimes wear a floatation suit instead when fishing in colder months. What is your opinion on these please? I'd like to know what you think. Regards, Chris
Thanks for your reply Chris and sorry to hear about your friend. I have been involved with several similar accidents but I’ve been reluctant to talk about them as I am wary of giving the impression that life jackets can be dangerous. Can I therefore respectfully suggest that your friend wasn’t killed by the life jacket but it was not wearing a kill cord and the way he was using the boat that got him into the situation in the first place. All other accidents that I’ve been involved with fatalities ‘caused’ be lifejackets could also have been prevented by paying better attention to the weather, not having an over loaded boat etc. Kill cords are also a big issue, particularly with RIB accidents. Flotation suits are a personal choice for your conditions and style of boating I would say. I wear one in winter but for it’s thermal qualities, rather than as a rescue system. There is never zero risk with anything but for me and my boating, the chance of me accidentally ending up in the water is extremely small so it’s not something I worry about. If I thought there was a risk I would need to wear a dry suit, life jacket, PLB and radio to stand any realistic chance of survival. That would take the fun out of a safe sport so I have a boat that I’m confident in and use it in conditions where I’m unlikely to encounter any issues, for me, that’s more important than any safety gear. Thanks for watching 👍🎣
Thank you for the reply Rob. Yes he wasnt being wholly responsible at the time in that little boat. Like you I really only wear the floatation suit for its warmth qualities but it also gives me some strange thoughts of security in many ways as well. Keep up the good work for us! ATB cK
Watching this was perfect timing for me. I am relatively new to boating. I have booked my 2 days on the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course on my own boat. I have a RIB, so kill cord and LJ every time. Your chain of events is an excellent way to look at these situations. I live next to my boat, so whether I go out today, tomorrow, or the days after does not matter. I can wait for the weather and sea conditions that present less risk. The rest is up to me. I will now add a similar knife to my onboard kit (I have a radio - course booked for that, too).
Good for you mate. The right attitude to safety and boating is the best starting point and it sounds like you’ve nailed that one! Enjoy your new RIB! 👍👍🎣🎣
This is like free safety training. Ever boater should watch this video. My second lesson for today... the first was your weather explanation. Thanks for a truly brilliant lesson on personal safety at sea. New subsciber safely on board. 👍
Thank you rob for this video, brilliantly presented, I’ll hold my hand up and admit I have commented about your lack of wearing a life jacket in a previous video, I now fully understand your reasons, the reason why I commented was purely out of fear for your safety, I’ve boat fished most of my life but never alone so seeing someone out alone without a life jacket sent shivers down my spine, your video has eased my concerns and I can now watch your videos without fear 🤭. Is there any way you can keep a link to this video in all your new videos I think it’s a great video to share amongst the boating community
Well presented argument Rob. I agree with you and support the fact that as an adult it is my choice when I need to wear a PFD. Unfortunately I suffer the same complainers with my own content and do my best to explain my position - but as we know, some people even when presented with the facts. If it doesn’t support their opinion they don’t want to know. I wear a PFD in almost all of my fishing/activities near water just because I understand I have younger viewers and want to show them it is perfectly acceptable to wear one. BUT. It is still a choice. From my own experience, dynamic risk assessment… whatever. There are absolutely times when I feel I do and do not need to wear one. My children will wear one with me until the ages of 14-16. By which time I would hope they have the self awareness to make the decision for themselves. Good point well made. 👍🏻
Thanks very much John, it would be a great shame if we were told what to do on the water, rather than being able to take a sensible approach to our safety.
Really good video! Learned a lot from what you had to say. was great to hear what you would do in certain situations! Like the crab pot example. Would you ever do a video about assessing wether conditions before going out, what forecasts you use? What conditions you are happy to go out into etc ? Thanks for the videos ! 👍🏼
Thanks David 👍 I haven’t done a specific video but I’ve tried to put snippets at the start of some of them about assessing the weather. There are lots of apps about the weather but I tend to use the BBC plus the inshore waters and shipping forecast. Here’s a link to a general weather video on my channel which I hope you’ll find interesting ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HOgaa2gDbAk.html
As a professional seafarer and keen boat angler, I totally agree and operate the same way as yourself. Identical regards the knife and portable radio. I have also equipped my life jackets with PLB AIS beacons and EPIRB, just in case I lost or become separated from the boat. Great video.
Thank you for all your videos. Recently subscribed - started binge watching them now. :) Quick question. How do you feel about lifejacket + epirb when going solo? In case of the "freak getting knocked out" accident?
Thanks mate👍. The ‘freak accident’ can happen but it’s extremely rare. It’s more usual to have a chain of events that leads to an accident, usually starting with the wrong decision to go leisure boating in the first place, on that day. For me, the bottom line is personal choice and you have to be comfortable in what you’re doing and how you’re equipped to do it. Epirbs have their place but… they are notoriously difficult to home on to (I’m an ex-RAF SAR pilot) and what sea temperatures are you going out in? An epirb will get help coming but unless you’re also in a dry suit, will help get there quick enough? More lives are saved, by far, by people making the decision to stay at home because the conditions are not right, or to turn around and go home early, than will ever be saved by life jackets and epirbs. That’s not to say they shouldn’t be worn however. If they’re right for you, that’s the right decision for you. Safe boating buddy. 👍
@@fishingsalcombe Thank you so much for that reply. I fish in a 5½ meter, center console - here i dont really wear a lifewest. I also fish in a inflatable pontoon boat (Anderson pontoon), here I always use a life jacket, in part because I wear waders so the lifejacket will help me "stay upright" in the water (I hope). :) Also, its fascinating to see how differently to us in Denmark you fish for cod/on wrecks. We almost exclusively use heavy rubber jigs - but I tried using the sliding ledger method today, with good results. So, again, thank you. :)
Glad the running ledger worked for you! Purely by coincidence, I’m watching Saving Lives at Sea on BBC2. If you can get this on catch up it’s worth a watch. There’s a rescue from Mudeford that was instigated by a PLB. It didn’t work as a location aid but it got the rescue initiated and the kayaker was a lucky boy. Needless to say, he was out in condition way outside of safe and comfortable!!
Great video, hadn't considered the thought of maybe having to get in the water to clear the prop, despite also sharing your concern to be watchful of the pots and stay well clear. I think there could be nothing worse that being caught at the stern by the prop and the tide and swell on the rise! Just a thought, have you ever actually practised this ? I think it would be worth it, obviously with someone else on board and in a sheltered area to try and build some muscle memory perhaps. Great video and lots of interesting points....another bit of kit to get now as well, alongside the fileting knives!....thanks again and tight lines mate!
Thank you John. I haven’t put a rope around the prop but I have been in the water with my knife to see if I can reach the prop with one arm through the boarding ladder and that seems to be doable. 👍👍🎣🎣
One thing, thanks for the very good advice, leaving Watermouth my father before me and i always continued, used to contact swansea to let them know we were leaving going up channel and called when we were back safe. 2 things, 1,this didn't make any necessary emergency contact a cold start and also we always knew the radio was working. thanks for your many endeavours. somehow we the locals were always proud to say to the tourists when they asked about the big yellow helicopters. "Thats 22 and they rescue you."
hi rob I was always told off the coast guard if your on your own DO NOT anchor the boat on your own always drift the boat because if you fell overboard you can possibly swim back to the boat
Your vid has certainly given me food for thought, I have recently purchased a 14ft broom speedboat and converted it for sea fishing,the freeboard has gained height because of safety rails.I have very little experience and no qualifications,I might consider selling my boat.I have 25hp outboard on it for economy reasons,and have considered the 25hp to have enough power to handle sensible sea conditions.But,I am 78yrs old.I think I have a lot of your 'Broken chain' reasons to think about having a boat.Looks like I will be sticking to charter boat trips in the future.My dad was a'boy sailor' at Shotley and finished the war as a CPO of Signals.He was sunk off Italy and took over the running of the MTB station for a while.
Very interesting to read about your dad Stan. I wouldn’t like to suggest a course if action for you and your boat but an option is to take an RYA Powerboat Level 2. There are loads of good course providers and for a little bit more money you can get a one-to-one course on your own boat. You would have a good idea at the end if that about your handling skills and importantly your confidence on the water. Whether it’s that or more charter fishing I wish you happy, safe and continued boating. 👍👍🎣🎣
@@fishingsalcombe Thanks for your reply,I've consideredThe powerboat two course,but I think it's time for me to admit age has crept up on me.I threw the 'Age Anchor' out recently,but I cant stop it dragging.😄 My dad was sunk twice,once on 'The Ghurka' and once by a guided bomb off the shores of Italy (can't remember the name of the ship.)
great vid i just think people should do there home work before they got out .we fish on the bristol channel north devon side i think you know how bad it can get there . i do miss sar 169 when they flew past and waved bit sadly no more .
Thankyou for a brilliant film, you should get this shown in cinemas. To try to teach some of the idiots who go to sea. I've been an RNLI member for 46 years, I wish you all the best! Many thanks,Ian.
Ian, wow! 46 years, that’s some service mate. Thanks for your comment but also thanks for your time on duty and on standby. I’ve never needed your services but it’s always great to know that you’re there. All the best 👍👍
Very interesting video i thought it was great sounds like you have enough knowledge and experience to make you own mind up on the life jacket topic,keep up the good work 👍👍👍🎣🎣🎣
Another great video!! Never thought of what i would do if a rope got tangled around the prop . Not loving the idea of having to go in the water though. Might be getting myself a telescopic weed remover tool or pruning saw 🙂
@@fishingsalcombe I'm planning to purchase a fishing boat and been collecting qualifications e.g. RYA level 2 power boat and level 2 sailing, several sea kayaking navigation and trip planning certificates and studying RYA navigation and weather books for future qualifications.
Spot on, personal choice and mitigate the risks. Never been ask to put the life jacket on boarding a plane just in case, the light only comes on if the risk is high. There are so many things people can do to avoid the situations in the first place, its shocking that those who do bother with a VHF dont actually know how to use it. First thing I was taught as a todler was how to use the radio. I have been in two situations where my boat has become flooded life jacket did not get me out of those situation, practical pragamatic thinking based on years of experience did. Like you certain types of craft would always wear one, but larger craft like yours, to hand but not on unless conditions warrant it, yes you can get caught out but only if they are marginal in the first place; gusting 3-4 on spring tides is always going to be worse than neap tides. One thing you didnt mention but I have always noticed is you keep a tidy ship, no trip hazards etc, seen so many people carrying more than they need and all they are doing is put themselves at hgiher risk, but its ok cause they wear a life jacket!
I wonder how many people smoke who comment on not wearing a life jacket it claims a lot more life’s, it’s knowing your limitations and you make very valid points.
When something goes wrong out on a boat..... "you can not get out and walk home". Two of everything....2 anchors, 2 radios, 2 search lights, 2 fuel tanks, 2 batterys, etc.............set yourself up for self rescue.
You are a very sensible person with experience so you think through possibilities and have plans. Many people don't. Its those people who may need a life jacket although your points are certainly vaild. I agree about thinking through your personal circumstances. For many years I've fly fished from small drifting boats on lochs, some large and rough in bad weather and learnt about all sorts of failure points and risks. I wear a lifejacket because there is a low freeboard and the boats are less stable in design. I have had my own boats which I was familiar with but I also hire boats of v mixed condition. Risk straight away there. The water is cold but not as cold and I could get back to the bank except on the biggest lochs. Like you I have some personal rules. I don't fish standing up which is an abomination but I see idiots doing it often. I don't go out if its blowing a hooley. I have a proper sharp knife with me (the rules on carrying a knife are stupid, a different story but needed for situation and defendable) on the boat when fishing. Word of warning. A friend nearly drowned because of a life jacket which I keep in mind when approaching the bank. He brought the boat in and got out but the bank was steep shingle and he slipped under the boat whereupon the life jacket activated trapping him under the boat. A friend helped him but the situation could have turned worse in other circumstances. Would still wear a life jacket but be aware of risks. Beaching a boat is a failure point.
Thanks for the feedback and I couldn’t agree more. I didn’t cover your very valid point but I was personally involved in two similar incidents. One boat was overloaded, one went out in unsuitable conditions - there was the point of prevention in both cases. Both boats capsized at the slip where one was trapped by an inflated life jacket and the other trapped by a lifejacket strap. Thankfully most people don’t need guidance because, like you, they are experienced, aware of the dangers and take early preventative measures so a situation can’t develop. If my video makes the less experienced think a little it might have done a good job. Thanks for watching & safe boating 👍👍🎣🎣🎣
We should all no our limitations I only go out in a force 3 or less my boat is capable of much more but that’s when I call it a day fish on my own mostly so don’t take any risks.. enjoy your videos Keep them coming 👍👍
Thanks for explaining how you do your own risk assessment, I do mine and will still be criticised as you have been but then social media is just an unqualified jury - a sorry state of affairs.
Yes mate, I put my videos out there so don’t mind any comments I just thought this subject deserved a comprehensive reply. Some won’t agree with me and I wouldn’t expect that. Thankfully most, like you, are perfectly sensible about their boating activities and this keeps the risks very low but there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer to safety afloat. Safe and happy boating mate 👍🎣🎣
I said at the start of my video that I could talk for hours on the subject and PLBs are something I didn’t touch on. I suppose it comes down to the risk of being in the water and did you contact anyone before you ended up there? PLBs are notoriously difficult to home on to but they will raise the alarm and get a helicopter to your approximate location. For the types of vessel I mentioned where I would wear a life jacket (RIB, commercial etc) and if I was solo, I would also have a PLB attached to the jacket.
Please don’t be put off boating, that certainly wasn’t my intention. RYA Powerboat level 2 is a great starting point if you’re new to boating and with a heathy respect for the conditions it really is a very safe sport. 👍👍🎣🎣
Good evening young sir, Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago i only learned of your videos and didn't realise others were hounding you regards L.J. Anyways a fantastic experienced, professional explanation as promised. Im fully aware of everything said although im no expert it's unfortunate that others simply don't have any common sense as the majority of boater's have learnt the hard way over time. One of my lads just never listens to me or others and i do worry about him, especially his type of little boat ! Please everyone get of this mans back as he fully understands more than any of us . Listen and take on board the main reasons why you will probably be in trouble and I suspect it will be our ignorance and not the chap in Salcome. Take training,read seamanship books , do a level two courses re the RYA and finally simply don't take chances with the sea . Many thanks for taking the time to get this out in public.
I’m so glad we’re not regulated to that extent! Is that enforced down under? I’m one of Brody Moss’s 5 million subscribers, can’t say I’ve seen him or his crew with lifejackets on kayaks, tinnies or the offshore boat they use? Thanks for keeping in touch, hope you’re not taking too much abuse for the cricket! 🤣👍🎣🎣
Update my 5 meter boat if it was 6 meter then you don't have to wear them .as my 1st boat is under 6 I don't any better as it's the law . I don't mind when I am alone but when your with mates I would love no to wear it
Interesting. Things as ever are about being properly educated in order to make informed choices, rather than pander to popular notions. Risk is part of our lives and we can only mitigate the before and after scenarios. Brutally honestly I am more comfortable with an unobtrusive PFD most of the time, but way more serious kit will be around too. I fully agree personal responsibility seems to have slipped from our society and as for critically researching and thinking actions through, well, it's all part of the same. ,
Sorry to hear about Ken and Karen on the rampage again 😩. I guess the real problem is.. that common sense just isn't that common. I bet the majority of your life jacket warriors don't even have a boat! Keep up the vids and thicken up your skin with regard to the idiotic comments. As my 7 year old just said..'nobody cares'. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Personal choice.....STOP sit on your hole and live your life!! I have boats myself and i have never wanted to tell you what to do. SAFTY is a personal responceablity. (im dyslexic, speeling is shit, i hope you get my point!)
I couldn’t care less if you decided you stupidly don’t want to wear a life jacket…it’s when I see other people on your boat not wearing them that you are responsible for that it gets my goat.
i dont agree with saying not wearing a lifejacket when solo boating is the better choice, for the sake of not 'prolonging your death'!? wtf man? This video should be deleted man
I don’t think I said it was a better choice. The benefit of a life jacket is more valuable if someone is going to help you out of a situation. If that person happens to be on your boat that’s the best position you can be in.
