Boaters Stranded At Sea For Two Nights

September 14, 2014

blue_sky_blue_ocean_istockTwo people onboard a 17ft boat were stranded at sea for two nights after their vessel suffered an electrical fault.

The boat was reported overdue from a fishing trip on Thursday, and they were discovered by a dive group on Saturday [Sept 13].

The 17ft Bayliner — named De Wocka Flocka — was stranded at sea on both Thursday and Friday night, until the boaters managed to attract the attention of a passing dive boat using a fog horn.

Officials said they went on the fishing trip “without a VHF radio, no lifejackets and the cell phones carried also had flat batteries, which inhibited their ability to call for help,” which they said was a “timely reminder” of the importance of carrying appropriate safety equipment.

A Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre spokesperson said, “BMOC receives information from Police Comops that reports have been received of a small 17ft Bayliner called De Wocka Flocka reported overdue from a fishing trip offshore in the vicinity of Chubb Heads Beacon since Thursday Evening.

“It was confirmed 2 persons where onboard the vessel, with family members now very concerned for the safety and welfare. Bermuda Radio immediately commenced Broadcasts on VHF for the vessel, and units tasked to check possible locations of the vessel, such as, at its moorings in Mills Creek.

“At approximately noon, Bermuda Radio received a call from a member of a Dive Group onboard Modern Sinbad confirming they had located the missing vessel, with the 2 persons onboard.

“It was confirmed the vessel had suffered an electrical fault on Thursday Evening and they had been disabled offshore since this time, with little food and water onboard.

“It was established they had proceeded on this fishing trip without a VHF radio, no lifejackets and the cell phones carried also had flat batteries, which inhibited their ability to call for help, using a fog horn they managed to raise attention of the passing Dive Boat who then towed them safely into Ely’s Harbour.

The spokesperson added, “This incident is a timely reminder of the importance and requirements to carry appropriate safety equipment when going offshore and to file a float plan accordingly.”

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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News

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  1. Boat Operator To Appear In Magistrates Court | Bernews.com | September 17, 2014
  1. tugboatannie says:

    De Wocka Flocka……….LOL.

  2. Double M Four Twos says:

    they went on a fishing trip “…without a VHF radio, no lifejackets and the cell phones carried also had flat batteries…” This was clearly amateur hour…..

    • Kunta says:

      I know it was a total lack of responsibility, but how many vessels that have de state of de art equipment, modern technology and sea worthy have been lost, sunk and missing, I guess they’re just as stupid as de family that sailed with their children !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Triangle Drifter says:

    “Officials said they went on the fishing trip “without a VHF radio, no lifejackets and the cell phones carried also had flat batteries”

    The complete lack of concern for safety that exists on the roads is alive & well on the water as well.

    Unbelievable! No PFDs, no marine VHF, apparently no flares either otherwise they could have been located the first night. In the US or Canada authorities would have them prosecuted for all kinds of safety offences. What happened here? Any info Bernews?

    How much time & effort would have been saved if these 2 were prepared. Out at Chub Head in a 17′ boat even if it had all of the required safety gear? Nuts!

  4. bc says:

    lol…what a bunch…the name of the boat says it all..”De wocka flocka”…smh…I wouldve taken one look at them,laughed,took a picture and kept moving…

    • Kunta says:

      Well de next time ya sorry @** is in trouble and you need help……………………………………………..

    • donna poole says:

      A true sailer would rescue anyone in distress, whether they was being stupid or not. I as a mother am very grateful to the people that found my daughter and bought her back to me!

    • Bekah says:

      What a ridiculously disgusting thing to say. Congratulations on demonstrating your pompous and presumptuous lack of humanity in such a succinct and faith restoring manner.

  5. Randy says:

    **** yu people dont even kno the half vests where stolen as was the vhf **** costs money an ***** aint rich cellphones die as we all kno so go **** ya selves

    • Interesting says:

      If they were stolen and they couldn’t afford to replace them here’s a simple solution: DON’T LIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS. Idiots. Zero sympathy. It’s this level of stupidity that gets innocent emergency workers injured and killed in the line of duty. Luckily it ended well this time.

    • Local Yokle says:

      Doesn’t make a difference,,, they should not have gone out without that equipment…couple of amateurs…..

    • Ironic says:

      Unless they were stolen out at Chubb Head there was no good reason to go out that day. A safety gear check before departing is essential for offshore boating. I bet these two don’t make this mistake again, what a scare.

    • GT says:

      Idiot. Those excuses don’t wash. Covering up for your irresponsible friends.

    • Creamy says:

      I can’t afford to have a boat either. So I don’t.

      • Hurricane says:

        And we really don’t care @Creamy!

        • serengeti says:

          I see the point he made went right over your head.

          • Hurricane says:

            I can see that you don’t see clearly because I got his sarcasm very clearly and still don’t care.

    • Bermudagirl says:

      Then don’t own a boat.

    • Redman says:

      @ Randy,

      Then they shouldn’t have gone fishing until they had either borrowed or purchased the required gear!.

      Else for your typically infantile comment that we should **** ourselves; I will remember that should I hear a distress call from them in the future (if they ever get a radio) and will do as you instructed rather than go to help them, hopefully you will be with them that day.

      Sadly though I would never leave someone stranded at seas if I’m able to help no matter their stupidity!

    • Scott says:

      Then don’t go to sea. Fish off the rocks. End of story.

  6. Raymond Ray says:

    Thank God they are safe, but here’s an example of ignorance being bliss.

  7. Puma says:

    Eeegrunt byes enah….good to have you back!Now please…be a little more careful …you had good people worried a bit…

  8. We Are Not Amused! says:

    I hope they were charged by the Marine Police and got the book thrown at them!

    • Redman says:

      We Are Not Amused,

      I totally agree they should be fined heavily. However they aren’t the amateurs as some have said that they are. IMO they are typical negligent and ignorant boaters of which we have way too many here, the type who feel that they don’t need to have safety gear as they’ve never needed them before. I wonder how many anchors & how much anchor rope they had? I would bet barely enough.

      The amount of safety gear that the regulations require you to have are the bare minimal that you should have. If they had their gear stolen as one enabler poster says then they shouldn’t have gone out until they purchased more. Had the winds come up and they had drifted away what then? Numerous boaters and rescue personel risking their own live to save them.

      • Interesting says:

        How are they not amateurs?! One only arrived on island a few weeks ago and has ZERO experience boating.

        • Redman says:

          @ Interesting,

          Well if what you say is true then fine but that’s not in the story now is it?

          • Interesting says:

            Nor is it in the news story that they aren’t amateurs, as you claimed.

            • @ Interesting,

              The fact that the story doesn’t say they aren’t amateurs isn’t important, my description that they are negligent & ignorant boaters isn’t in the story either. However the fact that they went to sea in the fashion that they did proves that point nicely.

  9. yamon says:

    Wocka wocka! Bies are muppets!

  10. Time Shall Tell says:

    For a three hour tour……

  11. Randy says:

    They had flares ya joker

    • swing voter says:

      and no-one…..NO-ONE saw a single flare in the clear night skies?

    • Um Jus Sayin' says:

      Having them and USING them are two different things.

    • Redman says:

      @ Randy,

      How many flares did they have and did they work or where they out of date and unusable? They should have had a float plan letting people know where they where fishing and when they would be back.

      Luckily for them the weather was good and their anchor held, hopefully this will be a lesson learned and heeded not only by them but many other boaters. It could have ended in disaster for both of them and tears for family and friends. I for one am happy that they made it home safe and sound, the ocean is very unforgiving.

  12. duh says:

    Lol “fishing trip” yea right.

  13. Terry says:

    Why does no one like me?

  14. MAKE MY DAY says:

    Are these guys *Onions*? – NAH!!…. Went out fishing in a 17′ boat (overnight) WITHOUT – a VHF radio, no life-jackets and the cell phones carried also had flat batteries, which inhibited their ability to call for help,”!!! My, my my!!! Were they *full-hot* before they left Mills Creek???

    They should be very relieved that the boat did not sink (known-to-happen) or extremely rough weather did NOT suddenly appear – and place them in a real-mess!!

    I hope the “cops” handed them some citations… One in particular for stupidity!!

    PS:… What about the *Emergency Flares*!!! The What??? LoL!!

  15. Fuzzy bear says wocka wocka says:

    Wock de flock happened to this boat?

  16. Jeremy Deacon says:

    wow, I must pay more attention to safety when I go out. Makes you realize ……. glad they are safe.

    • MAKE MY DAY says:

      I have been fishing for 50+ yrs and seen all sorts of things – that would make you shake-your-head in disbelief!! I remember about 30 yrs ago 3 guys got lost in a “Boston Whaler” about 12 miles past the SW breaker – because they all fell asleep “Full Hot” (with 3@ 40′s and a case-of-beer!) and drifted for about 7/8 hrs – with a good breeze pushing them further out to sea!! They were LUCKY a passing ship noticed them – or that would have ended in a BIG disaster!!

      And those bye’s were locals from Somerset (Public Wharf)… NO names, as I do not want to embarrass them!! And in those days you did not need all the “safety equipment” that you are required to carry today!!

  17. swing voter says:

    I learned my lesson 30yrs ago….you only get one chance to play an idiot with the Atlantic ocean….you’ve had yur one free pass M8

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      These two most likely have no idea how easily their anchor line could have chafed through on the reef & they could have drifted off of the edge, never to be seen again. I don’t suppose they had a spare anchor & line either.

      No clue. It is not like the old days when the US Navy sent the helicopter out to find the ill prepared fools who went out & had to be rescued.

      • swing voter says:

        ya safety gear stolen? radio stolen? this boat came out of Mills Creek? and its odd that no-one saw a single flare in the clear night sky …. hummmm dem byes don’t care about safety gear until they need it

  18. Pequot 1609 says:

    As long as people are willing to take chances with their lives you will continue to see these instances. Had the weather made up chances are we may have found only a vessel.
    The fact they used poor judgement to go to sea without the required safety gear which goes way beyound. VHF and a few flares.
    I would venture to say they didn’t have a compass as well or even know how to set you bearing course home when you have reached your fishing location. First time a squall comes up and you decide to run Home only to find you are heading to Nova Scotia not Bermuda.
    If you do not show respect to the sea as un forgiven as it can be don’t expect any in return when you find yourself in dire straits.
    And the sea will take them

  19. somuchless says:

    The most important thing they forgot to take fishing was their brains if they did they woulda remembered everything else. Anyway wocka flocka the fish almost one this battle.

  20. Bozey says:

    So if they had flares explain why they had to spend 2 nights at sea?!?! They were fishing alright….for trouble!

  21. IMJUSTHONEST says:

    WAKAAAA FLOCKAAAAAA!!!!! LMAOOOOO DEM BIES ARE SICK

  22. bc says:

    .I wouldn’t dare venture out without the proper gear..

  23. Alex says:

    Wow it’s really awful the amount of disgusting comments on this article.. How is there only a tiny proportion of replies that show any kind of human empathy or compassion?!for two people who have had a near death experience and obviously suffered unimaginable torment during the three days at sea to then have people be so vile really is beyond me, yes share your opinion but please remember this happened to human beings! And remember because a news source reports something doesn’t mean they know the full story!

    • Interesting says:

      And those of us who do know the full story know just how stupid it is.

    • Bozey says:

      “Near death experience….” because of their own ignorance!! Empathy?? Hell NO!!

  24. Look on the bright side says:

    At less it was two of them.
    best pratice not to go fishing by yourself

    • Onion Seed says:

      They could have caught fish and used the cooler to catch rain or dew. Hope they., or their families, helped contribute to fuel expense and apologised profusely to the divers who rescued them.

  25. VCaines says:

    You dont take chances likes that! Esp during Hurricance season! Edouard cdve picked up speed and gave us an unpleasant surprise!

  26. theOBserver says:

    First I would like to ask was the vessel registered with Marine and Ports? Did they file a voyage plan with Harbor Radio? Finally I would like to say where we’re the flares that are supposed to be on the vessel?