Carnarvon top cop says Refishwest life buoy installed at Quobba rocks saved young fisherman

A Recfishwest life buoy was the difference between life or death for a fisherman, who slipped from a cliff and fell into the ocean during rough swell, police say. During a fishing trip at Quobba on June 7, a 23-year-old was washed off the rocks and was struggling to keep afloat in the treacherous 3-4m swell. His brother took advantage of an angel ring installed at Camp Rock and threw it to the 23-year-old, helping him keep his head above water. He was rescued 300m offshore later that morning with all but minor scratches. Recfishwest is encouraging fishers to remain vigilant when fishing off rocky coastline, after Carnarvon police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Paul Tolan confirmed the emergency angel ring helped save the young man’s life. As part of a Statewide safe fishing program, Recfishwest has installed 80 angel rings across WA’s most high-risk fishing locations, including at Quobba rocks in the Gascoyne. Sen. Sgt Tolan said the man would not be alive had he not been kept afloat by the life buoy. “If it wasn’t for that angel ring being positioned nearby and thrown out to this man’s aid, he would certainly have drowned in those conditions,” he said. “Safety precautions need to come first when fishing and we would like to see more of these angel rings deployed along the coast. Carnarvon police are frequently called out to rescue situations like this in rough conditions where no one should be fishing in the first place.” Recfishwest’s senior operations and safety officer Sam Russell said fishing from rocks comes with many risks, particularly in poor weather conditions and high swell, and even experts were putting themselves in danger. “No fish is worth risking your life for — so unless you have plenty of experience, we recommend you keep the sand between your toes and fish off the beach,” he said. Mr Russell encouraged rock fishers to check the weather and swell before making the trip, never go fishing alone and always wear the right safety gear. For safe fishing tips, visit Recfishwest’s website.