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To take or not to take photographs, in life threatening circumstancesIs that a dilemma?

Author	Post

Posted by Robert: Wed Apr 8th, 2020 05:36

1^st Post

Recently I had occasion to help in the rescue of a friend who was in serious danger on his boat, the 'Oakdale' which has featured in my photographs over the years. I decided it was neither the time nor the circumstance to be taking serious photographs, I took a very short video and a photograph on my iPhone but resisted the temptation to dive back home for the D3 and 80-200 to get closer to the action.

It was an exceptionally high tide about 1pm, with a strong gale behind it. I was just going out, but for some inexplicable reason I diverted to check on Dave, the owner of Oakdale. To my horror the boat was almost below the waves, the sea was level with the deck, where normally the deck is four to five feet above sea level. Oakdale had sunk. There was no sign of Dave or his white German Shepherd dog, Jess. I called the Coastguard, I was right next to the lifeboat station, overlooking Oakdale.

Eventually Dave appeared on deck, I was concerned he might be blown overboard, the Coastguard remained on the 'phone until the lifeboat crew arrived, diverted from another emergency at Rampside. At this point I considered going for my D3, which I keep ready for such moments but I decided it wouldn't be right. More important to be there as a neighbour than a photographer.

Speaking to the lifeboat man later, I was told Dave was trapped below deck by the inrush of water because the cabin doors opened inwards and the pressure of water in the cabin was holding the doors firmly closed. Jess and three cats were saved as well, the cats were found hiding after the tide had gone down.

What would you have done?

____________________
Robert.

Posted by jk: Wed Apr 8th, 2020 05:46

2^nd Post

I think you did the right thing.
Well done on calling the Coastguard.

I hope his boat Oakdale is pumped out and refloated!

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
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Posted by Robert: Wed Apr 8th, 2020 07:27

3^rd Post

jk wrote:
I hope his boat Oakdale is pumped out and refloated!
Sadly it's a dead duck, although Dave is soldiering on trying to revive it. The timber is so rotten that when the tide went out the stern burst with the pressure of the water and there is a gaping hole . The timber planks are about 9" by 2" some of the remnants washed up on the tide, I turned one piece over with my foot and it disintegrated, completely rotten.

It's one of two remaining Mersey sailing barges, it was on it's way to Glasgow to go into drydock for repairs over ten years ago when it was driven into the Duddon estuary by a storm. I am told Dave wasn't very welcome at the North side so he moved over to our side and anchored up in the shelter of the pier, he has been here ever since.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by jk: Wed Apr 8th, 2020 08:50

4^th Post

Oh dear another old treasure lost to the ravages of time.

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 9th, 2020 04:37

5^th Post

Well done for doing the right thing.

Just because we enjoy photography it doesn't mean it takes priority in these circumstances. I've had a couple of instances over the years where I thought afterwards â€œwhy didn't I photograph that?â€. But I am always reminded of an instance 30years ago at Sandsend.

A young guy had parked his van on the sand at the waters edge (below high tide line) to load his mates jet ski directly into the back. I had the camera with me and started to take photographs as the obvious started to unfold. The extra weight of the jet ski sunk the back into the sand and the underflow fluidised the area around him. He dashed to me to ask if I had a tow rope...which I hadn't. He then asked if I was from the press and pleaded with me not to use the photos as it was his works van and his boss thought he was out on a delivery! He ran to a farm nearby and came back with a tractor that pulled him clear. By then the water was well inside and I could only imagine the hot water he would be in when his boss saw the result. But to add insult to injury he had to give the farmer his last £20 to recover him.....quite a lot back in the 1980s!

That instance made me realise that I shouldn't capitalise on others misfortune....probably why I never became a paparazzi. :-)

____________________
Eric

Posted by chrisbet: Thu Apr 9th, 2020 04:56

6^th Post

Is he making any progress? I must say that, if I were closer, I'd be tempted to go help him!

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If it is broken it was probably me ....

Posted by Iain: Thu Apr 9th, 2020 06:18

7^th Post

You did the right thing Robert. I might have had more of a battle being from a press background.

Posted by Robert: Fri Apr 10th, 2020 00:05

8^th Post

Thank you all for the confirmation. It was later l wondered if I had overreacted. It was a considered decision but later I wondered if it was the right one.

The old boat has become a landmark, just off shore, Dave is now living in a MUCH smaller boat nearby, a small cabin cruiser. I will try to get down and have a chat with him tomorrow, we had another high tide today, Oakdale didn't float, just sat on the bottom.

I am beginning to catch up with my list of tasks. Today I dragged the Marlin out of it's hiding place, with the intention of getting it back on the road as soon as the virus thing subsides.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by jk: Fri Apr 10th, 2020 06:23

9^th Post

Hope that the smaller accommodation works for Dave. Shame about Oakdale.

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

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