REGULAR Fisho reader, Robert Gill of Lake Munmorah on the NSW Central Coast, recently got in touch to tell us about a recent scary boating incident he was involved in.
Robert says he was fishing the recent annual Pirtek Fishing Challenge and wearing his prized Bigfish Graphics shirt he’d won via Fisho mag.
“I was doing pretty good catching some nice bream,” Robert says.
“It was fun (until) I decided to shift to another spot … then all hell broke loose.”
“While travelling along my SEAT broke, throwing (me) into the drink. Although I had my life jacket on while I was in the water under the boat I could hear the propeller going as I forgot to put the (safety lanyard) wriststrap on … then I felt it hit my arm (hence “bye shirt”).
Robert went on to say “something” (his shirt) had fortunately jammed the prop, stalling the outboard and saving his arm from serious injury. Unfortunately, as Robert’s shirt sleeve was caught up in the prop he couldn’t pull off his lifejacket and free himself…
Luckily, two fishermen on their way home came to Robert’s aid and pulled him into their boat.
After a trip to hospital and suffering only a sore arm, Robert says he’s since been back out fishing – although his wife now insists he goes with a friend!
Thanks for the email, Robert and we’re very glad to hear that you came out of the ordeal ok. We’ll see if we can organise a replacement shirt for you!
