Mario Siano is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s national liaison officer for angling. He has been analysing the Coastguards angling search and rescue incidents over the course of this year and has noticed some interesting trends:
Many of our angling-related incidents this year have involved angling boats suffering engine failure and having to be towed to safety by lifeboats, says Mario. This sort of incident doesnt only happen to anglers but is avoidable if you ensure that your engine and boat are well maintained and capable. It may be also be useful to take a set of oars or a spare engine with you. And make sure that you know how to raise the alarm should something go wrong.
Several angling boats also sank this year causing some anglers to fall into the water. Some were not wearing lifejackets or buoyancy aids when they were rescued; they were very lucky indeed.
As a search planner, I know that its really difficult to find a person who is not wearing a lifejacket, if they are still afloat, in a vast expanse of water. Wearing a lifejacket will keep you afloat, despite the effects of cold shock, hypothermia, disorientation, injury or weather conditions. It will also hugely improve your chances of being found by rescuers.
A couple of months ago one angler in particular, whose boat had overturned at night, was not only kept afloat by his lifejacket, but was located by the helicopter search light picking out the reflective strips on his lifejacket. He was taken to hospital in poor condition, but made a full recovery; and no doubt owes his life to the £30 life insurance he invested in that lifejacket.
Some anglers have fallen from rocks and cliffs in to the sea and suffered severe injuries. These areas, by their very nature are slippery, adjacent to deep water, big swells and tide rips and are very difficult to climb back on to should you fall in the water.
In a recent very tragic incident, a lone middle-aged angler went to fish from rocks. He never returned. To date, despite intensive searching, nothing has been found of him or his gear; and his car was in the car park where he left it. He did not use a lifejacket or mobile phone and had not told anyone where he was going. If youre fishing in a place where you are likely to fall, slip or capsize, into deep, or fast flowing water especially where it will be difficult to get out wear a lifejacket. It could save your life.
There have also been a few close calls with anglers and bait collectors getting cut off by tides, one in particular, a non swimmer, was up to his neck in water when rescued. So remember to check tidetables before you set out and dont take risks – the tide comes in more quickly than you think.
Angling from kayaks is an up and coming sport but I am pleased to report that its causing us no real problems at the moment. One small issue is that members of the public report them to the Coastguard because they think that they are in trouble, due to their small size and inactivity. So if youre a kayaking angler let the Coastguard know where you are going and when you expect to leave. Other good safety advice is to get a buddie, get trained, carry the appropriate safety gear, name your kayak and join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Small Boat Safety Scheme (CG66), its free and could save your life, full details here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-searchandrescue/cg66.htm
As well as providing search and rescue coordination for the whole of the UK coastline, HM Coastguard also covers some inland waters such as the Norfolk Broads and some lakes, loughs and lochs. However, my advice is relevant for all anglers, whether salt, freshwater or both.
You are invited to complete a survey on the wearing of lifejackets and then watch a short video about them, this can be found on line from the following link; please help us to help you.
http://feedback.mcga.gov.uk/v.asp?i=34223yhqfn
Stay safe – The rules are simple –
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Before heading out onto the water, or any other potentially dangerous area:
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get trained;
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familiarise yourself with the area (in good weather and daylight);
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get local advice;
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check weather and tides;
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wear a lifejacket if appropriate;
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avoid alcohol;
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keep in touch. (tell someone where you are going and when you will be back and let them know any change of plan, and who they should call if you do not return); and
fish with a friend.
Every coastguard station will provide free information leaflets and booklets covering the above. Visit you local station and see what is available.
Remember, the Coastguard is there for all water users including anglers, so if you or someone else is in trouble on or in the water, including medical problems, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard or call us on VHF Channel 16.
Visit the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website to find out more about us.
Mario F Siano – National Angling Liaison Officer