It’s another loss the province as a whole could do without.
The news out of Twillingate this past weekend regarding the disappearance of two boys and two adult males is just another chapter to the ongoing saga of tragic events beyond Newfoundland and Labrador’s plentiful shorelines.
As of The Beacon’s deadline day, the bodies of the two boys and one of the adults had been recovered, while the Canadian Coast Guard and locals continued to scour the waters for the fourth passenger of the five-metre boat. Having left on Saturday, the chance of finding him alive was slim at best.
There were no details surrounding what exactly happened in the ocean that Saturday, but it once again brings to mind the importance of water safety.
Potential tragedies can be avoided by properly considering what can be done to avoid mishaps on the sea.
For starters, if the weather seems the least bit questionable, keep your boat tied to the shore. Even the most experienced boaters can come across new and potentially serious conditions on the ocean. The sea is an unpredictable beast, and it is always best to err on the side of caution if the forecast calls for heavy winds and rain.
The absence of life-jackets on a boat is inexcusable. Even more inexcusable is to have them on a boat and not wear them by choice.
They might feel a little bulky and awkward to wear when trying to get around a boat, but they’re also the first defence a person has when they fall in the water.
If worn properly, a person will have at least a chance of survival. Without one, the probabilities of making it out alive decrease. (CBC News reported at least one of the boys was wearing a life-jacket when his body was recovered.)
Second of all, be aware of where you are going and let people know when you intend to be back. That way, if a boat does not return as expected, somebody on shore has the knowledge that something may be amiss.
An adequate amount of fuel for an expected trip must also be carefully considered, as falling short could prove costly if a boat is forced to drift aimlessly at sea.
There are countless safety courses available for boaters to take. Last September, a federal law came into effect requiring people who use boats for pleasure to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
When The Beacon attended a training session that concluded with completing a written test, some attendees expressed frustration over having to take a test after so many years of experience on the water.
Experience certainly counts, but a refresher never hurts, and can offer some new viewpoints. Know such knowledge can be retained certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Thinking about such matters hurts given the collective sense of loss sure to be felt across the province over what transpired in Twillingate. Let’s all do our best to keep such events from happening ever again.
info@ganderbeacon.ca
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