Another idiot calls for help

[The Bigfella]

From The Australian newspaper...

TRANS-TASMAN rower Shaun Quincey has issued a distress signal after his boat flipped at least twice overnight.

The Auckland adventurer, who is currently about 1000km from land, left NSW in the Tasman Trespasser II in a bid to become the first person to row solo west to east across the Tasman.

After about 35 days at sea, Mr Quincey has just passed the halfway mark in his rigorous journey - battling blisters, "unlucky" currents and heavy storms which pushed him in the wrong direction for 10 days.

All earlier attempts at the crossing by others have failed.

Australian kayaker Andrew McAuley, 39, died during his bid in February 2007.

His body has never been found.

Mr Quincey's father, Colin, is the only solo rower to have completed the reverse journey - from New Zealand to Australia - in his boat, Tasman Trespasser, in 1977.

Mr Quincey last night activated a distress signal after being knocked around "quite severely" in rough seas.

"Whilst this remains a very serious situation, Shaun is now in his cabin and appears physically and mentally OK," his support crew said today.

The rower is attached to his seven-metre boat by a harness which last night stopped him drifting from the vessel in the Tasman Sea.

He has lost his oars and water ballast and has told his support crew he will "sit tight in the cabin" until he can survey the boat's condition and the state of his equipment and supplies.

"Only then will a decision be made on the state of the expedition," his team said.

[Stiletto]

In an interview I heard this morning with the spokesman for our rescue services , it was made clear that he had not triggered an EPIRB but had triggered some sort of alert by satphone.

A later update from the same spokesman has said that Quincy's oars are still there (he couldnt see them in the dark) and he is resting before continuing.

[The Bigfella]

I hope he's OK... I just get a bit sick of the attention given to these people.

[Stiletto]

I tend to agree, the interviewer hinted about costs of a rescue, the spokesman said they would divert a vessel to look for him if neccessary, it seems to be a fairly well frequented area from what he said.

[The Bigfella]

Apparently the sun came up and he found the oars in the boat.

[py]

Still looking for the water ballast though;)

[Richard Jones]

I can't understand these people who risk their lives(and the lives of rescuers) for 15 minutes of fame and their name in a record book that no one reads. They should leave a do-not-rescue letter before they leave; taking total responsiblity for their actions.

[seanz]

Ahem.


"unlucky" currents


The same currents that the pair of rowers got stuck in a few years back?
It looks like we should put the Tasman on the 'too-hard' list for human powered craft.......at least if they go unsupported.

[switters]

http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73249

the crossing the ditch thread.

Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesn't, to paraphrase a movie from my youth, "sometimes you gotta say, what the pluck".

[Bob Triggs]

The man equips himself with a sturdy, seaworthy ocean rowing vessel and attempts a record crossing. He runs into a bad patch and uses his communication system to work things out. It is clear that we dont have all of the facts, except that this is an exceptional attempt at a very difficult crossing.

And yet somehow this merits you guys calling him "an idiot"???:mad:

What have you accomplished?

[uwhilna]

The man equips himself with a sturdy, seaworthy ocean rowing vessel and attempts a record crossing. He runs into a bad patch and uses his communication system to work things out. It is clear that we dont have all of the facts, except that this is an exceptional attempt at a very difficult crossing.

And yet somehow this merits you guys calling him "an idiot"???:mad:

What have you accomplished?

Good on ya Shaun, and hey fellas its not a kayak this time, check out his progress on http://www.tasmantrespasser.com/

The latest is..The New Zealander attempting to row across the Tasman will continue his journey despite his distress signal sent on Tuesday night.

Shaun Quincey, 25, set off from Australia nearly four weeks ago heading for New Zealand.

His boat, the Tasman Trespasser 2, was flipped twice in rough seas around 9pm Tuesday.

The rower was just inside New Zealand Search and Rescue waters, having travelled around 1,451km since leaving Australia on 20 January 2010.

Although the situation was serious, Quincey assured shore crew he was doing well, both physically and mentally.

He decided to get some rest and wait out the night, and the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre remained on standby to launch a rescue operation if required.

RCCNZ mission co-ordinator Geoff Lunt says he spoke to Quincey again on Wednesday morning and he advised him intended to continue with his journey.

[Garret]

Last post on his site:

At 1PM Shaun notified his support crew that he was back rowing and had dealt with all boat issues.
He is fairly positive but also trying to get his head around the past 12 hours.

So - I guess he's back at it.

He did not incur any rescue expenses as far as I can tell - simply talked to people.

[The Bigfella]

Of course he's an idiot. He's rowing from Australia to NZ. Any Kiwi knows that the dole payments in Oz are better than in NZ.

Yeah, the "do not rescue" letter is one way of doing it, a better way might be to ensure your own safety. Have a yacht come along for the slow trip.... or some such similar plan.

[uwhilna]

[QUOTE=The Bigfella] Of course he's an idiot. He's rowing from Australia to NZ. Any Kiwi knows that the dole payments in Oz are better than in NZ.

Damn it, how right you are...I'm on my way

[John B]

He was pitchpoled then rolled according to the coverage and satphone link to the news tonight.

[paladin]

Ian, Explain "Dole payments"...is that like retirement or unemployment insurance in the U.S. I've never drawn either and am not sure what the rates are, and I'm rather curious about what your average/general/maximum rates are........
I think ours is for a maximum of 6 months although I'm probably wrong.

[seanz]

The man equips himself with a sturdy, seaworthy ocean rowing vessel and attempts a record crossing. He runs into a bad patch and uses his communication system to work things out. It is clear that we dont have all of the facts, except that this is an exceptional attempt at a very difficult crossing.

And yet somehow this merits you guys calling him "an idiot"???:mad:

What have you accomplished?

The idiot claim was made by the original poster.

Not me.

He's rowed further than I could so more power to him.

I still think everybody that needs it deserves a search and rescue effort, no questions asked, but we've been over (and over) this before on the forum.

I used to think if someone wanted to give it a go then they should be allowed.......now, I'm not so sure. The Tasman crossing is a tough one by all accounts and, well, the people doing human powered crossing aren't testing the limits of human endurance and will so much as they are testing their luck.

I hope he arrives triumphant.
:cool:
Just a son following in his fathers footsteps.......kindasorta. ;)

[PeterSibley]

I can't understand these people who risk their lives(and the lives of rescuers) for 15 minutes of fame and their name in a record book that no one reads. They should leave a do-not-rescue letter before they leave; taking total responsiblity for their actions.

Yep ,should put barbed wire around K2 ,they should have kept Hillary home too ...just a mob of crazies :rolleyes:.

[uwhilna]

I used to think if someone wanted to give it a go then they should be allowed.......now, I'm not so sure. The Tasman crossing is a tough one by all accounts and, well, the people doing human powered crossing aren't testing the limits of human endurance and will so much as they are testing their luck.[/B]
)

A fine example of Darwin's theory, its natural selection folks.

So until they outlaw paragliding, base jumping, motor bikes and pogo sticks...all of which have been responsible for numerous early terminations, its game on..go Shaun..

[PeterSibley]

Ian, Explain "Dole payments"...is that like retirement or unemployment insurance in the U.S. I've never drawn either and am not sure what the rates are, and I'm rather curious about what your average/general/maximum rates are........
I think ours is for a maximum of 6 months although I'm probably wrong.

The amount in Australia is roughly $170 per week for a single unemployed person ...I think , I just tried to find out from the Govt website and it just doesn't like to give numbers .:rolleyes:

It can go on for a very long time if the person can't find work .

[The Bigfella]

There's a difference between doing K2 and doing this... and expecting rescue.

[PeterSibley]

I don't agree .

[The Bigfella]

C'mon Peter.... his mob are on about "unlucky currents" and you want to defend them? They are idiots.

[Balanda]

So were basing this lynching on a news paper article?.:eek:

Some of the " facts" as published, already seem a little sus. ie lost water ballast and issued a distress signal.

The padding in the story pretty much indicates the author had stuff all facts to go on.

Give the guy a break. Its very easy for those that have never pushed the limits of human endurance to criticize.

I'm not sure I'd want to be relying on rescue services during a storm on K2 or in the Tasman.

[uwhilna]

C'mon Peter.... his mob are on about "unlucky currents" and you want to defend them? They are idiots.

Whatever the Armchair Admiral Brigade may say about this happy paddler, this is a man with "muy grande cojones".....how often do any of the "knockers" step away from their comfort zones?....nah its easier to pour another pinot and rain on the parade.

Go Shaun

[The Bigfella]

Actually, the newspaper article is pretty much what the rower's website says...



Earlier this evening (Tue 23 Feb 2010), Shaun Quincey issued a distress signal through the TracPlus satellite tracking system on board his rowing boat.

TracPlus and the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) contacted Shaun’s support crew to notify them of the distress call. The support crew got in touch with Shaun around 10pm NZ time. In rough terms it appears that Tasman Trespasser 2 was flipped over at least twice, knocking Shaun around quite severely. At this time the distress signal was activated.

Whilst this remains a very serious situation, Shaun is now in his cabin and appears physically and mentally ok. Shaun is tethered (attached) at all times to the boat via a harness system. The harness may have on this occasion prevented Shaun from being separated from the Boat at night almost 1000km from land.

Shaun has since been in contact with the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre to discuss the situation and possible options as the boat’s water ballast, oars and other equipment may have been lost.


http://www.tasmantrespasser.com/

[The Bigfella]

Whatever the Armchair Admiral Brigade may say about this happy paddler, this is a man with "muy grande cojones".....how often do any of the "knockers" step away from their comfort zones?....nah its easier to pour another pinot and rain on the parade.

Go Shaun

I'll answer that, seeing as I initiated the thread, and I labelled him an idiot.

I step away from my comfort zone on a regular basis.

Next question?

[RFNK]

Still looking for the water ballast though;)
Pay that! :D:D
Rick

[johngsandusky]

I don't think people should be prevented from such efforts. But I don't always applaud them. The two guys who competed in smaller and smaller dinghies crossing the Atlantic were foolish or crazy. One of them died doing it. Most of us are not sorry that the Raw Faith hasn't gone to sea. I don't know much about this rowing journey, but I do wonder about the wisdom and motives of it.
"What have you done?"
I've rescued dozens of people on land and sea. I've arrested dozens of people for crimes right up to murder. I've disarmed people without shooting them. I've restrained violent mentally ill without hurting them. And I've gone out in small boats hundreds of times without needing rescue or assistance. I never went out on the water seeking fame or to set a record. I challenged myself and the sea.
All of this wasn't just good luck. I succeeded because I exercised reasonable caution.

[Richard Jones]

Right on, John!!

[PierreR]

If there were no idiots like this then we would most likely be living much closer to the stone age than to modern society.

[Richard Jones]

If there were no idiots like this then we would most likely be living much closer to the stone age than to modern society.

I believe the difference is that this guy is doing this for his own personnal satisfaction with no benefit to mankind. True innovators, explorers, etc. who took tremendous risks did so not only for their own benefit, but for the advancement of our mankind (whether they meant to or not).

[uwhilna]

I believe the difference is that this guy is doing this for his own personnal satisfaction with no benefit to mankind[/B]

Don't we all have personal satisfaction as the prime motivator?

[uwhilna]

I'll answer that, seeing as I initiated the thread, and I labelled him an idiot.

I step away from my comfort zone on a regular basis.

Next question?

How? by taking a cold shower, quaffing from a cask or spinning the wheels on the HQ Holden...gee it must be tough without airbags.

[seanz]

A fine example of Darwin's theory, its natural selection folks.

So until they outlaw paragliding, base jumping, motor bikes and pogo sticks...all of which have been responsible for numerous early terminations, its game on..go Shaun..

Weeeell, BASE jumping isn't entirely legal and pogo sticks haven't 'terminated' anyone, that I know of.......they may have taken people out of the gene pool in a slightly different way though.
;)
And the less said about what they're trying to do to motorbikes here the better....

It's not about 'natural selection'......we know the crossing is possible, even in a kayak, and we know that stuff just happens, the getting hit by a bus thing, metaphorically speaking, I'm questioning the sense of crossing the Tasman in a human powered craft. I think it is too risky because if you get into trouble, you have very limited resources to get yourself out of trouble. Yes, I know that's part of the challenge..........still......

Anyway.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10628376
Take a look at that neck, he'll make it, no worries.
:D

[uwhilna]

It's not about 'natural selection'......we know the crossing is possible, even in a kayak, and we know that stuff just happens, the getting hit by a bus thing, metaphorically speaking, I'm questioning the sense of crossing the Tasman in a human powered craft. I think it is too risky because if you get into trouble, you have very limited resources to get yourself out of trouble. Yes, I know that's part of the challenge..........still......

:D

I disagree, life is about natural selection.... perhaps the safety dept will come up with a mandate for us to wear woolly sox & sweaters if the mercury falls below 10 deg, and back to bikes, no one should ever be allowed on anything over 50cc....its just far too risky.

Check out the "idiot" kayakers" who knocked it off.

http://www.crossingtheditch.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=11&Itemid=11

[Duncan Gibbs]

I step away from my comfort zone on a regular basis.

... Lunch with a Labor pollie? :D

[seanz]

I disagree, life is about natural selection.... perhaps the safety dept will come up with a mandate for us to wear woolly sox & sweaters if the mercury falls below 10 deg, and back to bikes, no one should ever be allowed on anything over 50cc....its just far too risky.

Check out the "idiot" kayakers" who knocked it off.

http://www.crossingtheditch.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=11&Itemid=11

I guessed you'd disagree.....what I want to know is why did you call the kayakers 'idiots' ?

Make what you want of it, I think crossing the Tasman in a human powered craft is a bad idea. I won't dump a bucket on those that choose to do so but I reserve the right to say it's a bad idea.
I don't find it inspirational.......rowing around Golden Bay? There's an idea I like. ;)


Let's leave woolly socks right out of it, shall we?
It's only just gone Summer here.........

[uwhilna]

I guessed you'd disagree.....what I want to know is why did you call the kayakers 'idiots' ?


You may have missed the quotation marks, its a reference to the thread starter, I don't think they are idiots, a little crazy perhaps. to which they freely admit.

[The Bigfella]

Speaking of regulating for woolly socks... that's the end result of "adventures" like this.

The bureaucrats get jack of going out to rescue them and they bring in regulations that none of us want.... like banning BASE jumping because some idiots did it from stupid places and got killed. Thousands who would otherwise have done it in reasonable conditions now have to become a criminal to do it.

Now there's a thought.... I must do another jump sometime soon.

[uwhilna]

Speaking of regulating for woolly socks... that's the end result of "adventures" like this.

.. like banning BASE jumping because some idiots did it from stupid places and got killed. Thousands who would otherwise have done it in reasonable conditions now have to become a criminal to do it.

Now there's a thought.... I must do another jump sometime soon.

Now here is another prime example of natural selection, requiring split second timing and no margin for error....which is a big ask from those crazy enough to jump in the first place and probably the reason why idiots who base jump do it in stupid places and get killed.

Good luck with the next jump, I'm sure helmet cam pics would be appreciated.

[JimD]

It looks like we should put the Tasman on the 'too-hard' list for human powered craft.......at least if they go unsupported.

Exactly. Human powered craft on the Tasman should be supported by an engine. That way when they lose their oars inside the boat they won't need to call for help like I had to when I lost some change under the sofa cushions.

[seanz]

The reason BASE jumping is (sometimes) illegal is because it can involve an element of trespass......trespass being a highly relevant word to this thread.
;)

No, uwhilna, I didn't miss the quotes......just thought it might be a good idea if we stopped using the word idiots when we mean adventurers.
Right?

Oops......too late.
:D

[seanz]

Exactly. Human powered craft on the Tasman should be supported by an engine. That way when they lose their oars inside the boat they won't need to call for help like I had to when I lost some change under the sofa cushions.

Had you just recently received a nasty bump on the head?
:p:D

[John B]

Upside down for 20 minutes!


In his podcast message Quincey said the night had been horrific.
He said on one of the capsizes a lot of water had got into the cabin which he described as "pretty scary".
"I don't really know how to describe it. Last night was probably my most horrific night on the Tasman. "We were stuck upside down for at least 20 minutes.
"It was an absolutely horrific experience and it really made me think about it - to continue the trip or not."
Quincey is 680km west of New Zealand's west coast and rowing in 30 knot winds in swells up to five metres.
He was never in danger of becoming separated from his boat because of his harness.
He planned to land on the Taranaki coast after a 2450km journey.

[uwhilna]

Another post from the website.

What an incredible 24 hours! From a rescue effort being on standby to making over 50km east, Shaun experienced the Tasman’s extreme unpredictable nature and was last night left feeling mentally shattered.

Whilst Shaun is back on track and making great progress the Tasman has left its mark in the last week. Through capsizing Shaun lost another oar, the partner to the previous days snapped oar, leaving him with only one set remaining. He also lost other small items such as sunglasses, a hat, gloves and a knife that all have importance to everyday living on the boat. As well as this the water situation is still an issue since the desalinator is unoperational and his fresh water supplies are slowly dwindling. Tomorrow however Shaun will be in contact with some experts who will guide him through fixing the desalinator.

Apart from these issues Shaun is well inside 800km from NZ and is now more than ever wanting to get home and to get home fast!

Shaun and his support crew would like to thank you all for the amazing support over the past couple days. The messages and well wishes definitely kept everyone motivated and also proud of what is being achieved.
FYI, the average hit rate to this site per day is approximately 1000 and yesterday that number skyrocketed to 28000!

[AstoriaDave]

This guy definitely has his head in a very dark, personal space. But, as a longtime sea kayaker and long ago climber, I gotta say: the hubris quotient from a few overweening pontficators here exceeds his by a wide margin. Risk taking comes in many forms. To each his own, and may each of the idiots in our lives find peace in his own way.

I'll buy the argument we don't have an obligation to haul their asses out of trouble if everone buys the argument we also do not have an obligation to rescue a family of four which has just slid off a slippery highway because the driver ignored clear signs of snow and ice, and ignored signs to use tire chains.

The "no rescue" argument is an invitation to a slippery slope: what is an "OK" risk to most may not be a good investment of public resources. Folks who do things foreign to us are regarded as whackos ... and that rubs both ways. Exotic, showy risk-taking gathers approbation, while more costly of rescue, more common risk-taking "similar" to what each of us does does not.

Off the soapbox.

[john welsford]

Had you just recently received a nasty bump on the head?
:p:D

The boats spare oars were in a rack on the outsideof the hull, and if the boat was in pitch darkness and the conditions rough enough to roll it there is no way that the rower will be out in the cockpit leaning over to check that they are there and secure.

I've done some long coastal passages under oars, like to think that I have some experience in that field, designed a four man boat for the Tasman crossing so have researched it pretty well, ( sponsorship was not forthcoming) and also sat in Seans Father Colins boat before he moved it north for his attempt on the crossing. I think that Sean was if anything better prepared than Colin, his boat was certainly a much better machine, and he has done everything as right as a man could get it in terms of organisation, planning and fitness.
Where though, the endeavour is close to the edge, it does not take much to put it over the line. I had one guy a while back ask me to design a boat to row from New Zealand to Antarctica carrying a sledge to be manhauled to the pole. I could not get the numbers anywhere near workable, so had to tell the guy that I did not think it possible and would prefer not to be involved.
I did NOT though tell him that he should not try, that was his choice not mine.
That said, I think that the debate on where people should set their limits is an interesting one. I personally think that there has to be philosophical space to push the limits, and as long as there is an assurance of free choice ( not like the 7 yr old girl who, with father in the co pilots seat, set off to fly a light aircraft on some very long record breaking trip and crashed it on takeoff a couple of years back) then for the good of our civilisation people should be encouraged and supported in their exploration of their limits, and the limits of humanity as a species.
I do accept that if someone expects to be plucked to safety by a tax funded rescue service then there is an obligation to make sure that all practical measures have been taken to ensure that the risk is kept to a minimum , but what we as a species need least of all is some nanny goverment telling us what we can and cannot do for fear of harming ourselves.

John Welsford

[The Bigfella]

I'll buy that John.

[seanz]

Thanks for the post John.
Posts that occur between JimD and myself should rarely be taken seriously.


to row from New Zealand to Antarctica carrying a sledge to be manhauled to the pole.

Thanks especially for the new definition of 'extreme'............:)

You've probably read The Log of The Huia.......even sailing ships can go around in circles on a Tasman crossing so I still think a human powered crossing of the Tasman relies on a larger portion of good fortune to be successful than I can accept.

I really do like the idea of sailing and rowing Golden Bay......just been for a tour about up there.....beautiful.
:)

[Duncan Gibbs]

Q: What's the difference between a golfer and a base jumper?

A: A golfer goes whack! "F#*k!!" A base jumper goes "F#*K!!!!!" WHACK!!!

[peter radclyffe]

it appears he needs some strong oars, & a boat that is less likely to capsize,
where might he find that, after 1'000's of years of hull evolution

[PeterSibley]

The boats spare oars were in a rack on the outsideof the hull, and if the boat was in pitch darkness and the conditions rough enough to roll it there is no way that the rower will be out in the cockpit leaning over to check that they are there and secure.

I've done some long coastal passages under oars, like to think that I have some experience in that field, designed a four man boat for the Tasman crossing so have researched it pretty well, ( sponsorship was not forthcoming) and also sat in Seans Father Colins boat before he moved it north for his attempt on the crossing. I think that Sean was if anything better prepared than Colin, his boat was certainly a much better machine, and he has done everything as right as a man could get it in terms of organisation, planning and fitness.
Where though, the endeavour is close to the edge, it does not take much to put it over the line. I had one guy a while back ask me to design a boat to row from New Zealand to Antarctica carrying a sledge to be manhauled to the pole. I could not get the numbers anywhere near workable, so had to tell the guy that I did not think it possible and would prefer not to be involved.
I did NOT though tell him that he should not try, that was his choice not mine.
That said, I think that the debate on where people should set their limits is an interesting one. I personally think that there has to be philosophical space to push the limits, and as long as there is an assurance of free choice ( not like the 7 yr old girl who, with father in the co pilots seat, set off to fly a light aircraft on some very long record breaking trip and crashed it on takeoff a couple of years back) then for the good of our civilisation people should be encouraged and supported in their exploration of their limits, and the limits of humanity as a species.
I do accept that if someone expects to be plucked to safety by a tax funded rescue service then there is an obligation to make sure that all practical measures have been taken to ensure that the risk is kept to a minimum , but what we as a species need least of all is some nanny goverment telling us what we can and cannot do for fear of harming ourselves.

John Welsford

Thank you John .

[Larks]

but what we as a species need least of all is some nanny goverment telling us what we can and cannot do for fear of harming ourselves.



Absolutely John, they really should leave that pleasure up to members of the WBF.:D

[RFNK]

Absolutely John, they really should leave that pleasure up to members of the WBF.:D


Pay that too :D:D Rick

[The Bigfella]

Nah, I didn't say what he could or couldn't do... I just called him an idiot.

"unlucky currents" FFS

[Luckiest Dreamer]

Just finished reading the book "A Pearl in The Storm" By Tori Murden Mc Clure. This young woman did the same across the Atlantic. I recomend it as a good read!

[donald branscom]

The boats spare oars were in a rack on the outsideof the hull, and if the.........
John Welsford SHORTENED TO SAVE SPACE

"I do accept that if someone expects to be plucked to safety by a tax funded rescue service then there is an obligation to make sure that all practical measures have been taken to ensure that the risk is kept to a minimum , but what we as a species need least of all is some nanny goverment telling us what we can and cannot do for fear of harming ourselves."


Some people DO NEED to have some constraints or rules about what they can and cannot do, because they can cause others to get hurt or killed trying to rescue them.
So I agree all practical measures need to be taken to minimize risk.
Call that being a "NANNY" ok.

Check out all the garbage,equipment,canisters, and human bodies laying up on Mount Everest.

[uwhilna]

Some people DO NEED to have some constraints or rules about what they can and cannot do, because they can cause others to get hurt or killed trying to rescue them.
So I agree all practical measures need to be taken to minimize risk.
Call that being a "NANNY" ok.

Check out all the garbage,equipment,canisters, and human bodies laying up on Mount Everest.

Better a frozen corpse on Everest than a three hundred pound fat ass office "Wally"with a life spent at a desk making rules for the rest of us. Chuck yer rulz and get a life..they just don't work...last time I looked suicide was illegal but I don't know of a single jumper desisting for fear of arrest.

There are numerous cases of extremely smelly half ton humans needing to be rescued by being cut out of buildings, winched onto flatbed trucks and carted off to hospital..should we outlaw obesity? think of the reduction in visible pollution, much like removing the garbage off Everest.

Ultimately its up to the individual how they want to lead their lives and the same goes for people who chose to work in search and rescue. Obviously if you wish to remain part of the gene pool then "all practical measures need to be taken to minimize risk." but forget about trying to save people from themselves, its a completely impossible task.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s68/Bradthxforn/fat/NudeFatGuy.jpg

[The Bigfella]

He's still out there... gets to try and fix his desalinator tomorrow. Meanwhile, we find that....



One thing that is bugging Shaun is the enormous boil on his bottom.

[seanz]

It's 'gondola style' from here on.
:D

[Tom Robb]

Wow. Some touchy goings on here.
First, Natural selection operates at the species level, not on individuals.
IMHO the guy can do this stunt any time he pleases as long as he doesn't oblige others to rescue him. We ought to be free to do stupid things as long as it doesn't hurt others.

[uwhilna]

Wow. Some touchy goings on here.
First, Natural selection operates at the species level, not on individuals.
.

Natural selection is the process by which heritable traits that make it more likely for an organism to survive and successfully reproduce to become more common in a population over successive generations. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

The natural genetic variation within a population of organisms means that some individuals will survive and reproduce more successfully than others in their current environment...hence the references in this thread

[glennmajestic]

another two cents-just like the people that get into trouble,The rescue personal do have a choice and being a former rescue person I can attest that the first responsibility is to protect yourself and your team then you worry about the one you are trying to save.we all make choices and yes sometimes those choices have results that could endanger ourselves or others.I believe minimizing your risk is each persons responsibility the guy in the row boat as well as his possible rescuers ,not the government!

[Garret]

another two cents-just like the people that get into trouble,The rescue personal do have a choice and being a former rescue person I can attest that the first responsibility is to protect yourself and your team then you worry about the one you are trying to save.we all make choices and yes sometimes those choices have results that could endanger ourselves or others.I believe minimizing your risk is each persons responsibility the guy in the row boat as well as his possible rescuers ,not the government!

And - you could do what New Hampshire does for rescues in the White Mountains: if the person is deemed "reckless" of the need for rescue preventable, they get to pay the bill. Seems pretty simple to me - as long as none of the rescuers get hurt!

[Clive P]

Don Quixote said "Too much sanity is insanity!"
Hasler said" A gentleman should be able to die without calling for help!".
Clive P

[uwhilna]

And - you could do what New Hampshire does for rescues in the White Mountains: if the person is deemed "reckless" of the need for rescue preventable, they get to pay the bill. Seems pretty simple to me - as long as none of the rescuers get hurt!

As I recall the state motto for New Hampshire is "Live free or Die" which just about sums it up

[The Bigfella]

Another update from his website....



Shaun got back in the water and cleaned the hull of sea life and noticed the results instantly. Just prior to this he got his fishing line out and had hooked a fish which unfortunately got away. He quickly realised that fishing just before he planned to get in the water was not a great idea!


..... Now in terms of water….Shaun has 20litres remaining.


Oh dear... he's been out there 39 days and just now realises that it isn't too smart to attract the fish then get in the water?

Not the brightest pea in the pod is he? I wonder if anyone's told him that the noahs arks love following a urine trail?

20 litres of water left. This may be the determining factor.... assuming of course that his last pair or oars last the distance.

I hope he makes it, but its got a whiff about it.

[uwhilna]

I hope he makes it, but its got a whiff about it.

The sweet smell of H2O and hey he is sculling back to the land of the long white cloud...


Over the past 36 hours Shaun has made a whopping 150km east!

So at present he is 560km from Taranaki, his preferable landing point, or 410km from Westport. It is still impossible to pinpoint his landing point as he is still at the mercy of the weather but he is starting to feel that New Zealand is reeling him in and is very positive.

Shaun is the furtherest south he’s been yet and today he really felt the cold. At one stage he boiled his drinking water and drank it hot to try warm himself from the inside!

Still a concern is Shaun’s water situation. He is now below 15 litres of reserve water however this afternoon had collected 2 litres of rain water.


http://www.tasmantrespasser.com/w/wp-content/gallery/archive/thumbs/thumbs_boat%20launch%201.jpg

[seanz]

Oh, go on....he'd be a bit whiffy by now.
:D

Hope the weather holds for him and he makes good progress.
:)

He could land in Karamea......the beer's nice there.
:

[PeterSibley]

Don Quixote said "Too much sanity is insanity!"
Hasler said" A gentleman should be able to die without calling for help!".
Clive P

Thanks , Hasler stands out doesn't he ? :)

[Rational Root]

A fine example of Darwin's theory, its natural selection folks.

So until they outlaw paragliding, base jumping, motor bikes and pogo sticks...all of which have been responsible for numerous early terminations, its game on..go Shaun..

Hmmmm.

Shortly after they outlaw pogo sticks, someone might notice the number of sailing fatalities every year.

First they came for the para gliders, and I did nothing...
Then they came for the base jumpers, and I did nothing...

You see where this is going.

Be careful what you wish for.

[uwhilna]

Oh, go on....he'd be a bit whiffy by now.
:D

He could land in Karamea......the beer's nice there.
:

If he gets blown down here we've got a berth at the International Spieghts Station
http://www.spareroom.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/GAY-SPEIGHTS.jpg

[seanz]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/plane-drops-aid-to-transtasman-rower-20100302-pfzn.html

He's had water dropped to him by plane (or by helicopter, depends who you read) so he's got people actively looking after him.....a very good thing.

[The Bigfella]

Oops... that's going to be a problem then, isn't it.

[seanz]

Couldn't say.....is it alone and unassisted? or just alone?

Personally I'd be just as impressed if he was followed the whole way over by a bloke in a tinnie with a megaphone who handed him jellybeans every time he needed a boost.

Go Shaun!

:D

I still think human-powered crossings of the Tasman are questionable.....and I'll continue questioning them.
;)

[WX]

That boat looks like it's got a bit of windage there. Don't think I'd like to row it into a headwind.
I once row a canoe with another bloke, we did about 60 km all up. The next time I did the same trip I sailed it...much nicer.

[uwhilna]

[QUOTE=seanz;2509172]

so he's got people actively looking after him.....a very good thing.[/QUOTE

It is after all a good cause, he's rowing to raise the profile of surf life saving, something taken quite seriously in T Bay......(warning-video contains violent scenes of trans tasman rivalry and men in speedos)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaY5DnT_Y2c

http://aboutit.co.nz/pihaNZ/DayofGiants2.jpg

The winners coming in,New Zealand's Titahi Bay

[uwhilna]

I still think human-powered crossings of the Tasman are questionable.....and I'll continue questioning them.
;)

I agree, the whole place should be an alien only
zone

http://www.chastaincentral.com/images/alien4.jpg

[Dave Hadfield]

In northern Canada we have a tradition to deal with this sort of thing. Before the Klondike gold miners were allowed to go over the Chilkoot pass, in 1898, they were inspected by the Mounties to ensure they had a basic minimum of required equipment.

That item is not directly applicable here, but in recent times, adventurers who wish to do something in the Arctic which is likely to require Rescue are required to post a bond, AHEAD of time, to cover rescue costs.

I don't see anything wrong with this. The adventurer gets to pursue his dream, and I as a taxpayer am not out of pocket.

Dave

[John B]

I understand that the the Sydney Hobart race is similar. Giant entry fee of which a percentage is bond to cover any rescues if necessary.

[seanz]

I agree, the whole place should be an alien only zone


Things really are different on the West Coast.......;):p

Get stuck in some 'unsympathetic' currents and a human-powered craft is at their mercy.....then it isn't about endeavour or meeting a challenge.....it's about hanging on and hoping.....this sort of thing can just happen, but it should never be part of a plan.

It's great he's getting support.
When he gets in I hope he has a nice rest and then rows around NZ to raise money.
:cool:

[Bob Triggs]

A note on rescuers and the rescued... I was an emt/rescue volunteer for about six years. I received hundreds of hours of training before and during service, and had many dispatch calls to scenes of medical or other accidents and emergencies. Not a few of those situations were entirely avoidable. At least in hindsight. Of course if everyone sat at home with their hands folded in their laps there would be far fewer emergencies and accidents too. I never felt that it was unfair to me- as a trained, informed and qualified rescuer- to have to assist someone in distress. I saw it as an honor, as service to my society and to my fellow man. We took calculated risks based on circumstances. We followed our training. We reduced suffering. It was very, very rewarding. I never found myself resenting someone's misfortune for a situation they put themselves in. They were not suicidal, they were just taking a chance and it went against them. We were always glad to help.

[The Bigfella]

I just listened to his podcast...

http://www.tasmantrespasser.com/

He was down to his last gallon of water when they did the supply drop. He's worried about a low that is going to hammer him next week... but believes he should be in NZ within 20 days.

Ummm - he's only got 38 litres of water... and that's less than 2 a day... so he's going to need another supply drop.

[uwhilna]

I never found myself resenting someone's misfortune for a situation they put themselves in. They were not suicidal, they were just taking a chance and it went against them. We were always glad to help.

We thank John Funnell and his family for their assistance

http://www.3news.co.nz/Emergency-airdrop-to-Tasman-rower---extended-footage/tabid/309/articleID/144398/Default.aspx

Helicopter Services BOP Ltd is a wholly owned company of the Funnell Group. Since the mid 1980’s it has grown from one helicopter operating out of Taupo, to a fleet of aircraft specialising in air ambulance, long range rescue rescue missions, lifting, spraying and charter services throughout the central North Island and beyond. Some of the longer range rescue missions John has flown are to New Zealand’s outer islands, including Raoul Island following an eruption where all the Department on Conservation staff (5) were flown back to NZ. Campbell Island where Mike Fraser lost his arm in a shark attack requiring a 26 hour continuos mission to fly Mike back to admission to Invercargill hospital .

Two weeks ago, once the news of Shaun’s capsize and distress signal broke, John Funnell from Helicopter Services got in touch with the TT2 support crew offering his help if required. John explained that with his fleet of aircraft he would be able to drop supplies if Shaun’s situation became desperate. Last week when it became apparent that Shaun may not be able to fix his desalinator and was running low on reserve water, John offered a supply drop. Since this type of mission had never been attempted at such a long range out to sea, John and his crew did some testing over Lake Taupo to see if a supply drop via fixed wing aircraft was viable. The testing was a success and on March 2 at approximately 1pm John and his team completed the drop consisting of 38litres of water, a toothbrush and a NZ Herald.

Shaun and the TT2 team are extremely grateful for the support of the Funnell family and the generosity they have showed. Without their assistance the expedition would have been in jeopardy.

Interestingly, John’s son Mark flew the PA24 Comanche, John was the supply dispatcher mission coordinator, his other son Hamish manufactured the parachute static line deployment system and his wife Trish was back at base keeping tabs on the boys!

[The Bigfella]

His Day 47 update....



Pretty average day for Shaun. He was cooped up in his cabin for the majority of the day since rowing was frustrating and fruitless.

He has two more days of Easterly wind then has some strong Westerlies to hopefully push him home!


Is he sailing now?

[PeterSibley]

His hull has sufficient windage ,if the winds are favourable .

[cap'nRod]

I don't think people should be prevented from such efforts. But I don't always applaud them. The two guys who competed in smaller and smaller dinghies crossing the Atlantic were foolish or crazy. One of them died doing it. Most of us are not sorry that the Raw Faith hasn't gone to sea. I don't know much about this rowing journey, but I do wonder about the wisdom and motives of it.
"What have you done?"
I've rescued dozens of people on land and sea. I've arrested dozens of people for crimes right up to murder. I've disarmed people without shooting them. I've restrained violent mentally ill without hurting them. And I've gone out in small boats hundreds of times without needing rescue or assistance. I never went out on the water seeking fame or to set a record. I challenged myself and the sea.
All of this wasn't just good luck. I succeeded because I exercised reasonable caution.

Well you're a regular caped crusader then, huh? Except for the fact that I don't recall Superman (or other similar caped crusaders such as yourself) bitchslapping the people that they rescue for being 'stupid'.

[paladin]

Two years in Alaska and I participated in over a dozen rescue operations....only one was "legit".....the others were all Cheechakos coming from the lower 48 without proper equipment or training/knowledge of the area and striking out for somewhere they had never been without proper attire/equipment/knowledge.

[oznabrag]

Well you're a regular caped crusader then, huh? Except for the fact that I don't recall Superman (or other similar caped crusaders such as yourself) bitchslapping the people that they rescue for being 'stupid'.

That was pretty un-called for there. If you wanna act like that, get yerself a rabies shot and take yerself to the bilge.

[johngsandusky]

Well you're a regular caped crusader then, huh? Except for the fact that I don't recall Superman (or other similar caped crusaders such as yourself) bitchslapping the people that they rescue for being 'stupid'.

Sorry if you've never accomplished anything worthwhile. Don't smear people that have. And Superman is a comic book. Grow up.

[The Bigfella]

They say a picture paints a thousand words.

http://www.tasmantrespasser.com/w/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Day-49-1024x605.jpg

Its all about drifting with the winds and the currents.

[johngsandusky]

Yes, that does look like the track of a liferaft or a derelict.

[The Bigfella]

Yep...

He's a sailor all right... latest blog.



For the majority of the day there was minimal wind but Shaun battled against east moving swells. At about 4pm the winds finally turned to Westerlies and he started to make good progress toward NZ.

Today Shaun cleaned the hull of Tasman Trespasser 2, for the last time ever, and also got the boat fully ready for the strong winds that are coming over the next few days.

He saw another whale and started seeing rubbish which was strangely comforting for him!

One big worry for Shaun is that he is down to his last few squares of TP!

[The Bigfella]

Looks like landfall tomorrow. If he's lucky.

[The Bigfella]

Yep. Its good to see him there safely.