The Goat Island Incident
29 August 2000

Weather: Clear blue sky, air temperature warm

Water Temperature: estimated 18 to 19 degrees

Wind: Nil

Location: Port Jackson, west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Paddlers: Eight paddlers, between 40 and 65 years of age in seven kayaks.
Five of the kayakers formed an informal group who had paddled together several times. Three paddlers (in a single and a double kayak) were new to the group.

Kayaks: All kayaks were “sea” kayaks (ie fitted with fore and aft bulkheads) and were fitted with spray skirts. All paddlers wore PFDs.

Experience: All paddlers had owned and paddled their kayaks for at least six months, primarily in closed waters.

The Trip Plan: To travel from Iron Cove to Gladesville, to Tarban Creek, to Pyrmont and return to Iron Cove. The kayakers left the Iron Cove mid-morning. The emphasis was on social paddling - there was no trip briefing or formally appointed trip leader, merely friends gathered for a paddle in seemingly benign conditions.

The Incident: The kayakers were paddling from Pyrmont to Iron Cove on the final leg of the journey. They passed between Goat Island and Simmonds Point, an area that is fairly shallow. The group encountered a steep bow wave from a ferry passing in the opposite direction. The bow wave capsized “A” who was leading the group by about 75 metres.

“A” remained underwater for 20 seconds before his upper body appeared, dog paddling frantically while he took several short panicky breaths. He had been unable to release his spray skirt and remained trapped. He disappeared underwater again to reappear 15 seconds later, still trapped by his spray skirt. Once more he began to dog paddle in panic to keep his head above water. Then, with a seemingly super-human spurt of energy, “A” burst free from his kayak and floated on the water in a distressed state.

JoC, who was one of the members new to the group moved quickly to rescue “A” once he realized that “A” was in serious trouble. When “A” was back in his boat, he recovered rapidly and the journey continued to finish at Iron Cove.

Why did JoC wait so long to start the rescue?

JoC was new to the group. He had recently learned the fundamentals of rescues at Ocean Planet. He had assumed that any paddler who capsized could either roll up or wet-exit and prepare for an assisted rescue. He therefore made no move towards “A” until it became obvious that “A” was in serious trouble. In later conversation with the group, JoC discovered that he was the only paddler who had rescue skills. Just one of the remaining kayakers (most certainly not “A”) had practiced wet-exits.

Findings: Even in the most benign weather conditions, sea kayaking can turn deadly without appropriate safety skills.

Recommendations:

1. Become familiar with basic safety procedures both for self preservation and preservation of fellow kayakers. Practice these procedures.

2. If you take part in a “social” paddle with a new group, ascertain the skill level of fellow paddlers before kayaking with them, especially if you are new to the group. This can be done politely with a few non-threatening questions during the initial part of the paddle. If necessary; leave the trip if you are concerned about the level of skill of the remainder of the group. Before taking part in more challenging paddles with a new group, you should look for a more structured organization.

3. Do not assume that your fellow kayaker, who has just overturned, can self-rescue especially if you have only just met.

Kevin Melville
Ocean Planet Instructor/Guide
15 August 2003