I haven't heard the conclusion of this unfortunate piece of news which
illustrates the dangers of birding in areas subject to large waves.
the dangers of rock fishing is are well known [and another fatal
incident in WA over the w/e], but this story appears to be somewhat
freakish - a wave apparently washing over a saddle 40 metres high.
April does seem to be a bit late for 'peak nesting time', but I guess
gannets and albatross may have extended nesting periods.
Regards, Laurie.
*******************************
http://www.theage.com.au/text/articles/2003/04/16/1050172649473.htm
One lost, three saved in Southern Ocean ordeal
Date: April 17 2003
By Andrew Darby
A marine biologist is presumed dead after being swept off a remote rock
island in the Southern Ocean by a massive wave.
Three other wildlife researchers on Pedra Branca island were winched to
safety by a helicopter in 30-knot winds after wild weather hit the
island about 14 nautical miles below Tasmania's south-east tip.
A search yesterday found no trace of 26-year-old New Zealander Hamish
Saunders.
Police said the four men had retreated up the rocks on the island as
the intensity of the waves increased on Tuesday. A buoy off Tasmania's
west coast recorded an 11-metre swell.
Mr Saunders, wearing wet-weather gear, but no lifejacket, was caught
when a wave washed over a saddle 40 metres high, casting him down the
rock face and into foaming water.
The three survivors clung to the spine of the island as swells crashed
on to the rock for more than an hour before using a digital phone to
contact police.
"It must have been absolutely terrifying," police commander Bob
Fielding said.
The men were conducting an annual survey on the island for the
Tasmanian Government at a peak nesting time for birds.
The researchers were taken to Pedra Branca in calm weather by a police
launch on April 10 for what was to be a five-day stay. But department
secretary Kim Evans said they stayed longer because the weather made it
too difficult to get off.
Mr Evans said about 1000 seabirds nesting on the island, mainly
Australasian gannets and shy albatross, were also hit by the waves.
Many would have had fledging chicks.
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