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I have the sad duty of informing readers that recently two kayakers have drowned in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay. The pair were new to the sport of kayaking/kayak fishing and had set up their kayaks with electric motors. Police have mentioned both men were wearing life jackets, and as such adhering to law. The following information has been taken from the Herald Sun website, and the broken story credited to Amelia Harris & AAP, November 30, 2011.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/bodies-wash-up-in-patterson-river-in-carrum/story-fn7x8me2-1226209822735
TWO inexperienced kayakers have drowned in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay on a fishing expedition. The men, a 36-year-old from Windsor and a 40-year-old from Ardeer, set out from Sandringham Yacht Club in motorised kayaks about 6.30am (AEDT) yesterday to go fishing.
Police said the men were last heard from about 8.30am and were reported missing at 8.30pm. Their bodies were found this morning after an overnight police water patrol and air wing search. The body of one man was found by a member of the public at the mouth of the Patterson River at Carrum just after 6am, Police found and recovered the second body from the bay about 8.30am (AEDT).
Inspector Tim Henson said both men were wearing life jackets when they set out in windy conditions, but were inexperienced with their kayaks. "We believe this might have been the first time the men had used these kayaks and both of them are believed to be inexperienced in using these types of watercraft," Insp Henson told ABC Radio.
"It's an absolute tragedy."
He said the mens' kayaks and equipment had washed up on the Seaford foreshore. Insp Henson said fishing from motorised kayaks was gaining popularity on Port Phillip Bay. He said that with summer approaching, the tragedy was a reminder for people to check the weather before going out on the bay, ensure their vessel is appropriate for the conditions and let others know where they are going and when they are expected back.
The public outpouring of grief on the tragic loss has sparked calls for continuing safety regulation, something which recently various governments had put some time and effort into. Earlier this year Transport Safety Victoria (Maritime) released a publicly available guide to help newcomers and veterans of the sport paddle and return safely. This guide goes into great detail on what minimum safety equipment is required (At all times) on various Victorian bodies of water.
http://www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/45250/TSV-Paddle-Safe-Paddle-Smart-brochure.pdf
My thoughts go out to their friends and families, a sad day indeed.
