Binalong Bay Boat Fire: Fishermen Rescued | Tasmania News

Tasmanian Fishermen Survive Ordeal by Intentionally Reigniting Boat Fire

A daring – and highly unorthodox – survival tactic led to the rescue of two men off the coast of Tasmania on Sunday after their fishing boat caught fire. The pair, a 53-year-old from northeast tasmania and a 62-year-old former resident now living interstate, deliberately continued to burn items from their vessel to create a visible smoke signal, a method authorities strongly advise against.

Two Tasmanian fishermen experienced a harrowing eight-hour ordeal after an electrical fault sparked a fire aboard their 4.6-meter aluminum runabout nine kilometers east of The gardens. Faced with limited options, the men made the unconventional decision to exacerbate the blaze, hoping the resulting smoke would attract attention.

Did you know? – Smoke signals can be effective for attracting attention, but are best used in addition to modern distress signals like VHF radio or EPIRB. Always prioritize electronic dialog when possible.

Smoke Signal Leads to Dramatic Rescue

The unusual strategy proved successful.Multiple reports of a boat fire between Binalong Bay and The Gardens prompted a swift response from Tasmania Police and marine rescue teams.St Helens Marine Rescue president John ‘JD’ Dearing recounted spotting a face “completely black with soot” breaking into relief as his crew approached.

“The two guys were absolutely, not in panic mode, but they were relieved to see us,” Dearing said.

The men had been burning “plastic buoys, their boots and the engine cowling,” according to witnesses. This desperate act generated enough smoke to alert authorities, ultimately leading to their rescue. A rescue helicopter was also deployed to assist in the search.

Pro tip – Before heading out on the water, always file a float plan with a reliable contact. Include details like yoru route, expected return time, and who is onboard.

A Risky, But Effective, Strategy

Sergeant josh Hayes from Northern Search and Rescue acknowledged the men’s luck. “These gentlemen are very lucky,” he stated. “If it wasn’t for the diligence of the persons on shore to see that smoke and report it to police, its quite likely that we wouldn’t have been alerted to their disappearance to a number of hours later.”

While emphasizing that setting a boat on fire is “definitely not” a recommended survival technique, Sergeant Hayes conceded, “in this instance it did work.” Drift modeling indicated that currents would have carried the men further out to sea had they not been located.

Limited Resources and Ingenuity at Sea

The men’s resourcefulness extended beyond the fire. They attempted to fashion a second oar from plastic debris after discovering they only had one. Dearing noted that one of the men’s eyes were “milky white” from smoke inhalation upon rescue. The 62-year-old was transported to St Helens District Hospital for treatment.

The damaged vessel was left at sea following the rescue. Authorities praised the swift action of members of the public who reported the fire, highlighting the importance of vigilance and quick reporting of potential emergencies.

Reader question – What other unconventional survival strategies have you heard of or considered for maritime emergencies? Share your thoughts!

Here’s a more substantive news report answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions:

Why did this happen? An electrical fault ignited a fire on a small fishing boat, leaving two men stranded at sea.
Who was involved? The individuals involved were a 53-year-old man from northeast Tasmania and a 62-year-old former resident now living interstate. Key responders included Tasmania Police, St Helens Marine Rescue (led by president John ‘JD’ Dearing), and Northern Search and Rescue (Sergeant Josh Hayes).
What happened? The two fishermen found themselves in a life-threatening situation when their 4.6-meter aluminum runabout caught fire approximately nine kilometers