1. Anglers survive sharks in the Gulf of Mexico
Two fishermen, Phone Le and Luan Nguyen, whose boat sank in the Gulf of Mexico last month survived a staggering 28 hours in open seas. The pair made an improvised float out of ice chests and spent hours fighting off sharks. One of the men poked a shark in the eye with his thumb. Even as they were being rescued, blacktip sharks measuring four to six feet circled them.
The men were found thanks to the effort of Le who swam for miles to find a phone signal. He then texted his map location to a friend and coast guards were able to locate both anglers and rescue them. The phone was moments away from dying.
“These peoples' will to survive and their life jackets is what saved their lives,” said Lt. Katy Caraway to the American Broadcast Corporation.
2. The capsized boat in Scotland
Hugh McGowan, 60, was fishing in his 15ft vessel on the River Clyde in Scotland this July when his boat capsized. The boat had hit a big chunk of wood and was turned over. The men were thrown into freezing waters and had no choice but to swim across the river. They had to decide which side and chose the calmer, more shallow water option. Still, they quickly became exhausted. Stopping to rest several times, it took more than an hour to get close to shore. Eventually, Mr McGowan flagged down a passing passenger train. The driver stopped and got out to help. Both men were rescued.
Mr McGowan described trying to stay afloat and swim to shore as equivalent to trekking a mountain. He was quoted in BBC News Scotland as saying, “Without my life jacket, I'd be dead. The safety measures saved my life.” His life jacket was a present for his 60th birthday.
3. A life jacket and a whistle in the Chesapeake Bay
Sean Danielson, 44, was kayaking in the picturesque US estuary of Chesapeake Bay when his vessel was overturned by a wave that “came out of nowhere”. Stranded in cold, deep waters for three hours, Danielson was saved thanks to two simple items. His life jacket and a whistle. As the sun went down and the temperature dropped, he suffered from hypothermia. Luckily, some boaters heard the kayaker’s whistle being blown and he was rescued.
“If it hadn't been for [the life jacket] and Good Samaritans, I wouldn't be here today," he said to ndtv.
Your life jacket could save your life
If you’re getting out on the water this season, it is essential you have a life jacket in good working order.
Inflatable life jackets are the preferred PFD (personal flotation device) for boating and fishing, including rock fishing. These are slim, comfortable jackets that inflate automatically once submerged in water. They will keep you afloat for hours and could well save your life. According to the law, you must wear a life jacket in most open-water situations. In some areas, it is also mandatory while rock fishing. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Inflatable life jackets should be serviced yearly, or in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines. If it is not passed, you will need to purchase a new life jacket.
Ovesco is the Hunter Region’s only authorised life jacket service centre.
