By Capt. John Kavanagh Principal Lawyer – Master Mariner
Boating is a fabulous leisure activity. What can be better than a day on the water with friends and family? Maybe a spot of fishing or a picnic on a remote and private beach? Perhaps some snorkelling or diving for those inclined? Or maybe just leaning back in the cockpit with sunshine overhead, steering full and by, with the sails rippling in a fresh breeze.
But as any sailor worth their salt knows, the sea can turn deadly in a heartbeat. Human beings only survive on the water because of our cleverly engineered and well-built vessels. As soon as that vessel’s seaworthiness is compromised in some way, we are all in immediate trouble. Safety of Life at Sea is a paramount responsibility for every sailor, no matter how big or small the craft and no matter how short or long the voyage.
The deadly incident on Moreton Bay just after Christmas Day last year was a terrible and tragic reminder that weather conditions can change suddenly, and the sea can be cruel. In a matter of a couple of minutes, a storm front came through, a boat with 11 on board had capsized, and 3 men were tragically killed.
As a professional mariner for decades, I admit a strange fascination, maybe even an obsession, with the weather. There are good reasons for that. As mariners, we are always on the lookout for changes in the weather that may threaten our voyage, the safety of our cargo, the safety of our crew and perhaps even the safety of the ship itself.
Anyone who has experienced the full force of a category 5 hurricane at sea might well understand how such an experience might shape one’s future interest in the weather.
This obsession might be viewed with some amusement by my family at times, but I know that my fascination with the weather has served me well in my seagoing career. From weather forecasts received by morse code, to weather faxes, and nowadays sophisticated forecasting programs with advice on the best route to follow, I have seen the development of technology considerably improve the quality and timeliness of the weather information available to all mariners.
There is no doubt in my mind that good weather information, correctly interpreted and applied, saves lives.
Published in print April-June 2024
