Who are these two eegits?
- Thread starter jasconius
- Start date
I'm in two minds on this one.
On one hand, there is something in the human nature (for some at least) which is always trying to push the envelope. While most of us play it safe, we need the Christopher Columbus types willing to sail off the edge of the world as well.
On the other hand, I think some of these extreme sports/events go a little too far, with participants recklessly endangering their lives and vast resources being spent to protect/rescue them.
On one hand, there is something in the human nature (for some at least) which is always trying to push the envelope. While most of us play it safe, we need the Christopher Columbus types willing to sail off the edge of the world as well.
On the other hand, I think some of these extreme sports/events go a little too far, with participants recklessly endangering their lives and vast resources being spent to protect/rescue them.
Yes, but I though we had established the world was round, we found the South and North Pole, conquered Everest, walked on the moon etc. so I'd rather see endeavour applied to something new and interesting, but that's a matter of opinion I guess.tiger said:
tiger said:
Spot on.
Carpenter said:
AFAIK the two lads had to provide all safety equipment and for all contingencies through sponsorship. No helicopters or rescue services were physically deployed in order to facilitate their rescue. The beacon, EPIRB, which they activated did most of the work for them notifying rescue sevices as to their exact position and request ships in the locale.
Also I think this kind of endeavor is highly admirable (sure it's just my personal opinion) but I do think that if we don't try to extend ourselves in all areas of society then nothing can be achieved that hasn't already which would, abviously, lead to a stagnant state and enevitable regression universally, IMHO!
G
Guest127
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I don't suppose they endangered anyone else's lives in their adventure, unlike others who do endanger the lives of others without setting off with proper equipment etc . I also think coastguards etc need 'live' exercises etc to keep sharp. So while I would consider it a pointless and total waste of time and effort I wouldn't overly criticise them. but neither would I sing their praises which is what RTE appeared to be doing. Or were they too just filling airtime?
Do you know what struck me though. How come there is always exactly the same amount of News??
Like in the Star there are 15 pages or whatever, and the evening news is the same length of time every night.
Maybe there is stuff going on like this every day and we don't hear about it if it's a busy news day.
Like in the Star there are 15 pages or whatever, and the evening news is the same length of time every night.
Maybe there is stuff going on like this every day and we don't hear about it if it's a busy news day.
And how come everyone dies in alphabetical order when youre reading the obituaries.
Theres always news, the newspapers have so many words that need to be printed to fill their sheets and radio/tv have a time slot to fill. They will write the words to fill that amount of space no matter how much news there is. Ever notice after reading a newspaper and you feel you didnt acually read that much, go back over the paper and you may find that some lines have more double spacing then others.
I had posted about this yesterday but it seems to have gone missing
I have to say I am surprised at some of the comments that this topic has elicited - In my opinion these guys should be lauded for their efforts for being able to take on the physical and mental challenge of such an event, and not vilified as "drunken eejits".
This was not two blokes who decided to hop into a punt after a couple of jars and row across the pond but a well respected and regular international event that was set up to emulate the first rowed crossing of the Atlantic by two Norwegians in 1895. The Atlantic Rowing Race this year had entries from 26 teams from various contries around the world. In addition the Irish attempt had a large amount of charitable donations riding on it.
Obviously we are entitled to our own opinions on the merits of one sport or endeavour over another but in the spirit of AAM don't close you minds to reasoned debate about something you don't immediately agree with.
I have to say I am surprised at some of the comments that this topic has elicited - In my opinion these guys should be lauded for their efforts for being able to take on the physical and mental challenge of such an event, and not vilified as "drunken eejits".
This was not two blokes who decided to hop into a punt after a couple of jars and row across the pond but a well respected and regular international event that was set up to emulate the first rowed crossing of the Atlantic by two Norwegians in 1895. The Atlantic Rowing Race this year had entries from 26 teams from various contries around the world. In addition the Irish attempt had a large amount of charitable donations riding on it.
Obviously we are entitled to our own opinions on the merits of one sport or endeavour over another but in the spirit of AAM don't close you minds to reasoned debate about something you don't immediately agree with.
Lewis added: "Technically, it was one-in-a-million freak weather conditions that got in the way so we were unfortunate in that respect but very lucky to get out of it."
Ah, the freak wave, the scourge of all those that go to sea.
The fall back excuse for many seafarers for why things go wrong when they are actually either unprepared (no lifejackets), doing something they shouldn’t be doing (drinking onboard), going somewhere they’re unfamiliar with, or are out in weather they shouldn’t be at sea in, or in a boat insufficient for the sea/weather they’re out in.
Ah, the freak wave, the scourge of all those that go to sea.
The fall back excuse for many seafarers for why things go wrong when they are actually either unprepared (no lifejackets), doing something they shouldn’t be doing (drinking onboard), going somewhere they’re unfamiliar with, or are out in weather they shouldn’t be at sea in, or in a boat insufficient for the sea/weather they’re out in.
efm said:
Freak waves do exist. However, without specific reference to these guys, I was implying that many times when freak waves are cited as causes for "accidents" at sea, that it's quite possibly other reasons for the "accidents".
However, specifically here, these guys were in boat at most 1m high above the sea in seas where normal storm size waves of up to 7-8m can be expected.
Therefore, waves which are of normal storm size would appear 7 or 8 times higher than their vessel, and while these may indeed appear freakish to them in their tiny boat, they would not have been actual freak waves.
Therefore, my final comment regarding being in a suitable boat for suitable conditions is probably relevant here.
efm said:
To be clear, I didn't say this.
But since you mention it, neither of the guys were wearing wearing a life jacket. As one of them freely admits [broken link removed] Specifically "Gearóid was in a pair of shorts, I had nothing on, ready for sleep."
And also, having admitted that the boat was flipped over and took on water in this same article, this would lead one to reason that they did not fully follow all their own safety procedures, mentioned [broken link removed]. Specifically, "The boat is designed for rough seas. In the event of a capsize the boat will re-right - providing the hatches are closed! "
He mentioned swimming out the door when the hatch flooded after the boat flipped over. Do we therefore assume that they did not have the hatch closed?
And finally, to compound everything else, they left their vessel and jumped into the liferaft, which in the opinion of most experience seafarers, is on most occasions, not the right thing to do. (Reference reports after the Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart races in the past).
So, given the information to hand, in bad weather (not freakish), it was poor seamanship, and insufficient following of safety precautions, and an unsuitable vessel for the conditions that got these guys in trouble, and very unlikely to have been a "freak wave".