Lost at Sea
In 1973, after the sudden death of their daughter, Jim and Val Hursey relocated from Dover in southern Tasmania to Stanley. They set up a fishing company, taking over many of the boats that belonged to previous fishing interests and became quite rapidly the major player in the Stanley fishing industry.
But more tragedy struck in 1986. Their son, Patrick "Kermie" Hursey had heard distress calls in Bass Strait from a lone kayaker who was attempting a crossing. The weather was extremely poor and the seas mountainous. Taking his vessel "Moya Ann" along with a deck hand, Patrick set out for the site that rescue aircraft had located. Unfortunately the vessel was swamped by the huge seas and went down. Patrick was lost at sea, but the deckhand Phil Critchlow was able to be saved.
The kayaker adventurer, Tony Dicker had circumnavigated Tasmania in a kayak four years earlier, and this crossing of Bass Strait was to be a final preparation for an around the world attempt. Unfortunately Dicker was also lost in this tragedy. Recently a film has been made about Tony Dicker's adventures (which I haven't seen). But this article neglects to mention that although it is sad Dicker died in the attempt, no mention is made of the death of Patrick Hursey in the rescue attempt.
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7251463/how-a-filmmaker-st...
One commentator put it succinctly, "The tragic loss of the fishing vessel Moya Ann brought resounding condemnation for adventurers risking the lives of others while seeking personal fulfilment."
Lost at Sea
In 1973, after the sudden death of their daughter, Jim and Val Hursey relocated from Dover in southern Tasmania to Stanley. They set up a fishing company, taking over many of the boats that belonged to previous fishing interests and became quite rapidly the major player in the Stanley fishing industry.
But more tragedy struck in 1986. Their son, Patrick "Kermie" Hursey had heard distress calls in Bass Strait from a lone kayaker who was attempting a crossing. The weather was extremely poor and the seas mountainous. Taking his vessel "Moya Ann" along with a deck hand, Patrick set out for the site that rescue aircraft had located. Unfortunately the vessel was swamped by the huge seas and went down. Patrick was lost at sea, but the deckhand Phil Critchlow was able to be saved.
The kayaker adventurer, Tony Dicker had circumnavigated Tasmania in a kayak four years earlier, and this crossing of Bass Strait was to be a final preparation for an around the world attempt. Unfortunately Dicker was also lost in this tragedy. Recently a film has been made about Tony Dicker's adventures (which I haven't seen). But this article neglects to mention that although it is sad Dicker died in the attempt, no mention is made of the death of Patrick Hursey in the rescue attempt.
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7251463/how-a-filmmaker-st...
One commentator put it succinctly, "The tragic loss of the fishing vessel Moya Ann brought resounding condemnation for adventurers risking the lives of others while seeking personal fulfilment."