Keep Off Rough Seas
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan – Taking into account the current rough seas that claimed the life of one Indonesian and caused boat capsizing, resulting in a couple of fishermen still lost at sea, the Marine Department sounded a warning yesterday to keep off open seas until the condition subsided.

The warning comes especially to small boat operators. However if there was a necessity of having to brave the seas, wearing lifejackets at all times at sea is a must. This would enable the search and rescue teams to easily spot anyone in the water and the jacket would help keep one afloat even though unconscious.

The colour of the jacket would also make it easy for them to be identified.

In a statement released yesterday, the Acting Director of the Marine Department, Bolkini Hj Abdul Rahman announced yesterday that with the current wet season coupled with strong wind and waves that reached up to three to four metres high, it was indeed dangerous for small vessels and boats especially those made from wood to venture out to open sea.

Explaining that the hull strength, the propelling power and the stability of these wooden vessels were not strong enough to encounter the mighty strength and impact of the swell he said, "There will be an instance when the vessel, due to the action of the swells, becomes unstable and causes it to overturn and sink or break up due to the slamming impact of the waves".

The Acting Director further added that the impact of the swell causes the vessel to be lifted to the crest of the swell and after passing the crest, the vessel will be brought down to the trough of the swell with a slamming effect.

If the vessel is slow in coming up to face the next swell, the next swell will break up on top of it. Lifting and slamming effect of the swell causes whoever in the vessel to be thrown-up and will normally result in injury or sometimes he can be thrown overboard into the sea.

Hence, the Marine Department advised small boats and vessels not to go out to open sea, if possible, until the sea was calm.

However, if it could not be avoided, they advised to take safety steps such as wearing life jacket at all times.

This will facilitate the search and rescue operation because should they get thrown off the boat, the user would stay afloat for a long period of time even though they are unconscious.

The Department also advised those going out to the sea to obtain the weather forecast report, in which if the weather is not fair, it was better to cancel the trip. It is also advisable to remain alert on changes in weather including sea condition.

Should they come across changes in the weather condition to somewhat bad, they should return. Those who wished to go to the sea should also make a regular contact with their relatives and to inform them about their location. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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