Fishing Gone Wild: How One Marlin Turned a Fishing Trip into a Nightmare

Get ready to hold on to your hats and be taken on a wild ride, folks! This tale serves as a reminder that even the most ordinary activities can turn into extraordinary adventures at a moment's notice.

Fishing is a beloved pastime for many Australians, providing a great way to unwind and catch fresh seafood. But for a group of fishermen on the NSW south coast, what started as a routine fishing trip turned into a heart-stopping nightmare!



The intrepid crew found themselves 30km off the coast when they hooked a monstrous 70 kg black marlin. This was no ordinary catch, though - the marlin was a ferocious fighter, determined to resist being reeled in.

The fishermen were on the edge of their seats, feeling the tug of the line and the adrenaline pumping through their veins. But then, the unexpected happened…


Screen Shot 2023-03-22 at 6.12.37 PM.png
A fishing boat and its crew had to be rescued after a ferocious 70 kg marlin took out the boat's engine. Credit: Unsplash/Knut Troim.



In a surprising turn of events, the marlin made a sudden U-turn and charged straight into the boat's engine, causing major damage to the canvas cover and cowling. The boat was suddenly powerless, leaving the crew stranded in the middle of the ocean.

When the fishermen found themselves stranded, they knew that they were in a dangerous situation. Luckily, they were able to call for help, and the Marine Rescue team were quick to respond.



The Marine Rescue team had to travel for over an hour to reach the stricken boat in the open water. Once they arrived, they attached a rope to the boat for towing purposes and began the arduous journey back to shore.

But it wasn't a smooth ride. The damaged boat was a 'fair lump of a boat', and it took a couple of hours to safely return it to land, with the Marine Rescue team travelling at a little under 10 knots, at their maximum speed.


Screen Shot 2023-03-22 at 6.12.32 PM.png
Marine Rescue were alerted to the incident, and swiftly jumped into action to save the fishermen. Unsplash/Leon McBride.



Unit Commander Bill Blakeman recounted the dramatic events in an interview with a radio station. The skipper had described the incident as a 'freaky thing', and it was clear that the crew had been left 'shell-shocked' by their ordeal.

Finally, after what must have felt like an eternity, the crew made it back to shore.



But what makes this story truly one of a kind is the fact that the commander of the Marine Rescue team had never before encountered a marlin damaging a vessel in his 15 years of volunteer service on the water.

'I've had a couple of shark-related incidents over the years where they attacked propellers, but never a marlin disabling a vessel,' he said.

Key Takeaways

  • An Aussie fishing boat and its crew had to be rescued after a 70 kg black marlin damaged their engine 30km off the NSW south coast.
  • The marlin punched a hole in the engine's canvas cover and cowling, disabling the boat's power and leaving the crew stranded.
  • Marine Rescue NSW spent an hour locating the boat and a couple more hours towing it back to land.

Did you know that black marlins can weigh as much as 700 kg and are one of the fastest fish in the ocean?

These incredible creatures are known for their speed, strength, and agility, making them one of the most challenging fish to catch. However, their sheer size and power mean that they can be extremely dangerous if provoked, even resulting in life-threatening situations.


Screen Shot 2023-03-22 at 6.12.26 PM.png
Black marlins are known to weigh as much as 700 kg and are considered one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Credit: Shutterstock.



It's worth noting that black marlins are highly prized by anglers and are often caught for sport, but there are strict regulations in place to ensure their conservation. While these regulations help to protect the species, they also mean that encounters with black marlins in the wild are becoming increasingly rare.

The fishermen in our story had an unforgettable encounter with one of these magnificent creatures, and their ordeal serves as a reminder of the incredible power of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. It's important to approach these creatures with caution and respect, for our own safety and for the preservation of the species.



Thankfully, in this case, everyone was safe and sound. It's a reminder that, while fishing can be a relaxing activity, we should always respect the power of nature and be prepared for any unexpected situations that might arise.

Members, are you an avid fisher yourself? Have you had any encounters with black marlins or other incredible ocean creatures? Maybe you've had a particularly challenging or exciting fishing trip that you'd like to tell us about.

Whatever your experience with fishing may be, we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, stories, and opinions in the comments section below, and join the conversation about the incredible world of fishing and marine life.
 

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Get ready to hold on to your hats and be taken on a wild ride, folks! This tale serves as a reminder that even the most ordinary activities can turn into extraordinary adventures at a moment's notice.

Fishing is a beloved pastime for many Australians, providing a great way to unwind and catch fresh seafood. But for a group of fishermen on the NSW south coast, what started as a routine fishing trip turned into a heart-stopping nightmare!



The intrepid crew found themselves 30km off the coast when they hooked a monstrous 70 kg black marlin. This was no ordinary catch, though - the marlin was a ferocious fighter, determined to resist being reeled in.

The fishermen were on the edge of their seats, feeling the tug of the line and the adrenaline pumping through their veins. But then, the unexpected happened…


View attachment 16116
A fishing boat and its crew had to be rescued after a ferocious 70 kg marlin took out the boat's engine. Credit: Unsplash/Knut Troim.



In a surprising turn of events, the marlin made a sudden U-turn and charged straight into the boat's engine, causing major damage to the canvas cover and cowling. The boat was suddenly powerless, leaving the crew stranded in the middle of the ocean.

When the fishermen found themselves stranded, they knew that they were in a dangerous situation. Luckily, they were able to call for help, and the Marine Rescue team were quick to respond.



The Marine Rescue team had to travel for over an hour to reach the stricken boat in the open water. Once they arrived, they attached a rope to the boat for towing purposes and began the arduous journey back to shore.

But it wasn't a smooth ride. The damaged boat was a 'fair lump of a boat', and it took a couple of hours to safely return it to land, with the Marine Rescue team travelling at a little under 10 knots, at their maximum speed.


View attachment 16115
Marine Rescue were alerted to the incident, and swiftly jumped into action to save the fishermen. Unsplash/Leon McBride.



Unit Commander Bill Blakeman recounted the dramatic events in an interview with a radio station. The skipper had described the incident as a 'freaky thing', and it was clear that the crew had been left 'shell-shocked' by their ordeal.

Finally, after what must have felt like an eternity, the crew made it back to shore.



But what makes this story truly one of a kind is the fact that the commander of the Marine Rescue team had never before encountered a marlin damaging a vessel in his 15 years of volunteer service on the water.

'I've had a couple of shark-related incidents over the years where they attacked propellers, but never a marlin disabling a vessel,' he said.

Key Takeaways

  • An Aussie fishing boat and its crew had to be rescued after a 70 kg black marlin damaged their engine 30km off the NSW south coast.
  • The marlin punched a hole in the engine's canvas cover and cowling, disabling the boat's power and leaving the crew stranded.
  • Marine Rescue NSW spent an hour locating the boat and a couple more hours towing it back to land.

Did you know that black marlins can weigh as much as 700 kg and are one of the fastest fish in the ocean?

These incredible creatures are known for their speed, strength, and agility, making them one of the most challenging fish to catch. However, their sheer size and power mean that they can be extremely dangerous if provoked, even resulting in life-threatening situations.


View attachment 16114
Black marlins are known to weigh as much as 700 kg and are considered one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Credit: Shutterstock.



It's worth noting that black marlins are highly prized by anglers and are often caught for sport, but there are strict regulations in place to ensure their conservation. While these regulations help to protect the species, they also mean that encounters with black marlins in the wild are becoming increasingly rare.

The fishermen in our story had an unforgettable encounter with one of these magnificent creatures, and their ordeal serves as a reminder of the incredible power of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. It's important to approach these creatures with caution and respect, for our own safety and for the preservation of the species.



Thankfully, in this case, everyone was safe and sound. It's a reminder that, while fishing can be a relaxing activity, we should always respect the power of nature and be prepared for any unexpected situations that might arise.

Members, are you an avid fisher yourself? Have you had any encounters with black marlins or other incredible ocean creatures? Maybe you've had a particularly challenging or exciting fishing trip that you'd like to tell us about.

Whatever your experience with fishing may be, we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, stories, and opinions in the comments section below, and join the conversation about the incredible world of fishing and marine life.
Come on!!! 30 fathom line is nowhere near the middle of the ocean.
Get real with your reporting.
 
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