I'm just about to head off on todays downwinder so later on when I get back I'll explain just what happened with the cops at the end of that downwinder..

DJ

Your not the only Paddler with Security Issues

E T said...

Well DJ I have been in total suspense since your last downwind vid.
WHAT WAS THE POLICEWOMAN BOOKING YOU FOR?
I know it is probably none of my business but you do put your paddling life out there for us all to see and you were getting ready for a paddle.
So it is time you came clean and told us all.
ET.

One of the crew apparently had his paddle blade snap and as he was being rescued by a windsurfer, someone from shore assumed the worst and called emergency services who then sent a police response in the form of helicopter and boat rescue. It was all a bit of overkill but as a matter of procedure, they had to take down some details from the crew. No-one was injured, no-one particularly endangered, just equipment failure and a few red faces.

tha dogman said...
just another day on the bay by the sounds of it
better safe than sorry
and welldone to the bystander for reporting it
why weren't you guys using a buddy system (just incase of emergencies like that)
or just all hanging in a group
so naughty......

I can't speak for the crew as I was sitting in my office at the time but if you look closely at the video, I believe the female police officer is telling DJ exactly that.

It wasn't about one of our guys breaking a paddle the the windsurfer guy helping to tow him back in closer to the shore.

What happened was when our group went past Elwood from the shore it looks like we are a long way out and one concerned sticky beak.. er.. I mean citizen.. saw us go past and thought we were in trouble.. Maybe they saw someone fall off their board.. anyway.. They called 000 and reported that they saw someone getting blown out into the bay in gale force winds.

Once a report like this is reported the Police have to resond just to make sure there is not someone in trouble.. When the helicopter hovered over us we all gave it the thumbs to let them know that we are ok.. The problem with that is they only know that we are ok and they don 't know if someone is missing from our group and not ok.

They followed us into Sandy marina and then the ground force arrived .. The heli cops asked the normal cops to ask us if all is ok.. We told them that all was ok and we are all accounted for with no one missing.. They told the heli cops this and they left.

They cops had to make their report with names and details and that's what the lady cop was doing.. They said that because I had a phone on me that next time I should call 000 myself and tell them that I have a Police helicopter hovering me and could you let them know that all is ok and no one is missing.. These helicopters cost about $7,000 an hour to fly.

They also gave me a number to call when we do our downwinders and let them know where and when and how many etc so if they get a concerned sticky beak calling again saying they saw us they will know that it's us and no need for concern.

The number they gave me was.. 9399 7500 (water police)

Doh!! Forgot to call them today.. I will have to try and make a habit of doing this in the future especially when it's really wild out there (like today) woo hoo!

That's about it.. We chatted for a while and they were really good (for cops)

DJ

Did you get her number?

i can't talk

i go out by myself all the time (cause i have no friends) but usually to nightclubs not downwinders

I'm just jealous people don't call up to save me when I'm in trouble up this way

we just get rocks thrown at our bloated bodies by kids weeks later when they find us washed ashore somewhere 100km away.

Hey Sailhack, do you call the Coast Guard for bayside excursions? If so, do you happen to have the number handy?

DavidJohn said...
It wasn't about one of our guys breaking a paddle the the windsurfer guy helping to tow him back in closer to the shore.

What happened was when our group went past Elwood from the shore it looks like we are a long way out and one concerned sticky beak.. er.. I mean citizen.. saw us go past and thought we were in trouble.. Maybe they saw someone fall off their board.. anyway.. They called 000 and reported that they saw someone getting blown out into the bay in gale force winds.

Once a report like this is reported the Police have to resond just to make sure there is not someone in trouble.. When the helicopter hovered over us we all gave it the thumbs to let them know that we are ok.. The problem with that is they only know that we are ok and they don 't know if someone is missing from our group and not ok.

They followed us into Sandy marina and then the ground force arrived .. The heli cops asked the normal cops to ask us if all is ok.. We told them that all was ok and we are all accounted for with no one missing.. They told the heli cops this and they left.

They cops had to make their report with names and details and that's what the lady cop was doing.. They said that because I had a phone on me that next time I should call 000 myself and tell them that I have a Police helicopter hovering me and could you let them know that all is ok and no one is missing.. These helicopters cost about $7,000 an hour to fly.

They also gave me a number to call when we do our downwinders and let them know where and when and how many etc so if they get a concerned sticky beak calling again saying they saw us they will know that it's us and no need for concern.

The number they gave me was.. 9399 7500 (water police)

Doh!! Forgot to call them today.. I will have to try and make a habit of doing this in the future especially when it's really wild out there (like today) woo hoo!

That's about it.. We chatted for a while and they were really good (for cops)

DJ

nanny nation. im off to the little boys room, best notify the relevant authorities in case i come to grief!

So, where's the video?

Thanks DJ.

Wow! U guys have alot to do down there. A good thing i guess.
I would love to get one of your good windy bay downwinders in one day, sounds fun.
X angie

JonathanC said...
Actually happened again yesterday, when we got to the Sandy Yacht Club the big Water Police RIB was there. One of the police called me over and said they had received a call saying someone was in distress.

...and there was a call made from shore a few weeks ago when the west coast crew did an offshore training run...chopper was called in. Yeah maybe it's time we got into the habit of notifying the authorities, before we become a nuisance to them.

HumanCartoon said...

JonathanC said...
Actually happened again yesterday, when we got to the Sandy Yacht Club the big Water Police RIB was there. One of the police called me over and said they had received a call saying someone was in distress.

...and there was a call made from shore a few weeks ago when the west coast crew did an offshore training run...chopper was called in. Yeah maybe it's time we got into the habit of notifying the authorities, before we become a nuisance to them.

I agree in the case of conditions such as last week which were borderline extreme, and likewise the west coast run from a few weeks ago. However yesterday was barely windy enough to call it a downwinder. If we have to alert authorities in those circumstances, which is practically every time we go out for a paddle, we'll become a nuisance for a whole different reason.