Coast trawlerman Ross ‘Footy’ Irwin had gave up his life to the fishing industry and left his wife alone after he was lost at sea. It is informed that the trawler he skippered, the Lauren G, suffered a ‘hook up’ on an unknown object off Noosa Heads and overturned in the early hours of April 22, 2006. Two crew members escaped while Irwin’s body has never been found.
Last year Coroner Michael Barnes has recommended the state government some major mandatory safety requirements for trawlers which included better training, equipment and use of technology. But nothing has been done and more than 70 vessels have been lost along the coast of south east Queensland between 2001 and 2004. It is said that in the last five years at least another five men can be added to that tally, which means in 15 years, at least 21 fishermen have lost their lives while at work. Mrs Irwin wonders if thing goes like this then there would be no fishermen left.
Barnes recommended that Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) order all commercial fishing vessels must comply with the national standards and particularly in relation to crew competencies and safety equipment. Barnes noted that the agency has made an informed decision to rely on consultation rather than coercion on the basis that in an environment where enforcement is difficult, cultural conversion is more likely to be effective.
It is opined that commercial fishing boats are required by law to use electronic locating technology so authorities can ensure they are not fishing in protected waters. But this fail to happen. Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is responding to all the recommendations made by the coroner and is preparing a comprehensive account of all the actions it has already implemented or is currently undertaking which will be made available as soon as possible.
