WorkSafe WA is conducting a ‘preliminary investigation’ into a hotel that rented kayaks and inflatable paddleboards to a family. Washed away in the sea And then saved.
The Appelby family were on holiday in Quindalup, 200km (125 miles) south of Perth, when strong winds pushed their boat offshore from Geograph Bay on Friday afternoon.
Joanne Appelby, mother of the children, “One of the hardest decisions” She raised the alarm by sending her 13-year-old son Austin to swim in the turbulent waters for four hours.
After the boy made it safely to shore and alerted emergency services, his mother, brother Beau, 12, and sister Grace, eight, drifted out to sea at 8.30pm and clung to a paddleboard 14km (9 miles) offshore.
A WorkSafe WA spokeswoman on Thursday said the group was aware of the incident, although they had “not been formally notified” and “preliminary inquiries are currently being made”.
A spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said in a statement on Thursday that the incident is being investigated and is being investigated.
The Club Wyndham Resort, where the family stayed, denied any wrongdoing in a statement to the media on Wednesday evening.
“As our guests are free to use the resort facilities on a complimentary basis until the end of the day, our staff have no reason to worry,” a spokesperson said.
Sign up for: AU Breaking News Email
“Guests know that the beach is outside the resort grounds, unpatrolled, and there is no direct view of the beach from the resort.”
“However, of course, the resort is conducting a safety review to reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.”
The resort did not respond to Guardian Australia’s request for further comment.
Professor Rob Brander of the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group said people often think it’s safer to go into the sea when it’s calm and there are no breaking waves.
He said one of the main reasons for calm waters close to the coast is the problematic assumption of strong offshore winds.
“It literally flattens the ocean surface and creates small waves that move offshore,” he said. “It can create a surface current that can carry you far offshore.”
Surf Life Saving (SLS) WA general manager Chris Peck agreed and said “you don’t need waves, swells and rips to be a dangerous situation”.
He said he felt it was “positive” to have a conversation about a family that was “still alive and together” – but stressed the importance of beach safety.
He encouraged beachgoers to know where their nearest beach patrol is and stay between the red and yellow flags, but admitted it can be difficult.
“If you’re in doubt, don’t go out,” he stressed.
Brander said beachgoers should be careful that inflatable watercraft can be dangerous to use in the ocean.
“It’s like setting sail,” he said. “The problem is that the wind will stick above the surface of the water, and the wind will catch it, especially if you’re standing or kneeling, and you’ll be a sail.”
Before you get in the water, he suggests, spend a few minutes “thinking about beach safety,” what you’ll do if something goes wrong and who you’ll contact.
Peck agreed and said that when people buy inflatables, they should consider the difference between using them in the pool versus the ocean.
“The ocean is the most dynamic environment you can enter because it changes every second,” he said. “Just because it’s flat and clear in the water and the sun is out, doesn’t mean the wind isn’t blowing offshore and you’re not going to get pushed out.”
