Fellow kiters,

on friday i saw from my balcony in North cott a kite floating along about 750m off shore, a few mins before i'd seen another kiter out there trying to help. It was hard to see through the binoculars whether anyone was with the kite (i watched it drift for about 10 mins as the sun was going down). As it was far out and i though someone could be in serious shyte, i called Freo Sea Rescue (9335 1332) who got details and said "were on the boat now" keep an eye on it for ten mins, if your sure theres someone with it call us back and we'll get him".

I went down to the beach and saw the fella there who'd lost his kite, no big deal he was fine, BUT as i got to the beach, two cop cars and an ambulance rocked up. Seems like every person at the Blue Duck called the police. WTF are the cops going to do if a guys 750m off shore in trouble, while the suns going down, and TWO cop cars?? (though i reckon part of the reason for the cops was to tell them not to kite there)

It was then that i thought, in a situation like that, everyone should have freo sea rescue number. They work on a "donation" for any rescues, with a "recommended donation" of a few hundred bucks depending on the job.

1. Is a kite floating through the night a hazard to vessels....i'd say so
2. would you pay a few hundred dollars to get rescued or at least get your gear back?
3. wouldnt you rather pay the coin, get your kite, and get straight out the next day? I know i would

Freo Sea Rescue are stella fellas who will save "yo ass" when you need them most.

Good points regarding sea rescue being very helpful.

Note: about the police and being unable to rescue offshore - I'm no expert on the topic but sea rescue are the marine search & rescue resource. They need to advise the police who are responsible for deciding the course of action on the whole event, this is probably why they went to the beach to check the situation (just like you helpfully did also - well done!)