Lost at sea

and the search vessels and air support are out trying to find you. People are risking their lives in the foul weather trying to find a "boatie" who sent a message saying his vessel was taking on water.

I don't know how many people are tied up in this exercise but it must be quite a number - and yes, they must do it. There is no choice in this matter. Those involved will go on doing it until the person is found or a body is recovered or the search is called off after a decision has been made that nothing more can be done.

The problem in this instance is that it is the second time within a few weeks that this particular "boatie" has called for help. His vessel is not seaworthy. 

Last time he was fined for various offences relating to the vessel and safety. It is unlikely that the vessel is seaworthy.  We talk about things being "ship-shape" and, from a photograph taken of him on board, it is clear that there is an extremely untidy mess on board. 

Part of my kittenhood was spent in an area close to the capital's port. It was where my father and my paternal grandfather grew up. We know something about boats, how they should be cared for and the way in which most people do care for their boats. 

The Senior Cat's brother was friendly with a man who was, to put it kindly, accident prone. He had a boat. My uncle's wife went out on it one day. They struck trouble in the gulf. As it was my uncle realised there was a problem when they were late returning and raised the alarm.  If it had not been for my aunt having a bright red beach towel with her they might have gone on drifting but a spotter plane saw the towel.

 My former boss in the Education Department built a boat. He spent many years building it. By the time he had finished it his wife refused to let him sail it. She was right. If he had bought something simpler and spent the time learning to sail it then he might have had the skills necessary. His wife knew he did not have those skills and was not going to learn them overnight.

Sailing is not like driving a car or riding a bike. There are many other things involved. The sea is dangerous. Few people realise how great a risk Jessica Watson was taking when she sailed around the world at just sixteen years of age - even though she had far more experience by then than my former boss or my uncle's accident prone friend. 

The man who has gone missing is not "a bit of a larrikin" but a fool. He should not have been at sea in rough weather in a boat which was not seaworthy. If he needed to move the boat then it should have been transported across dry land.

The last search cost taxpayers around $650,000 and this one is going to cost perhaps as much. It may also end in tragedy - and that is an even greater cost.

"Lost at sea" makes my stomach churn - and not from seasickness.