Another tragedy

[artme]

Despite the various views on boat people, illegal immigrants... call these people what you will I cannot imagine that anyone would be so callous as to be unaffected by the tragedy on Christmas Island yesterday.

It must have been an horrific experience for the poor souls on board, and I can't help but wonder how the locals who trie to help must have felt.


A sad day indeed.

[3 toed sloth]

I agree Artme. Those people would have started out with high hopes of a new life.

Can't imagine being in their shoes.

[scottbr]

Many of those people would never have even seen the ocean before they got on that boat. And I don't imagine many could swim. What a terrible thing to go through.

I was fishing off Sydney yesterday. It was a beautiful day and the sea was still. I was reflecting on how lucky I was to have been born here.

[Woodwould]

Terribly sad for all involved.

[jimbur]

A touch of reality for those who advocate towing them back out to sea.
Jim

[markharrison]

A touch of reality for those who advocate towing them back out to sea.
Jim

[Sturdee]

Terribly sad for all involved.

I agree, but this tragedy should now not be made into a cause for open slather of illegal immigration or otherwise.


Peter.

[Ad de Crom]

Yes Arthur, saw it yesterday on the news.
Really bad news, poor people searching for a better life.
From the other side there are people (crooks) who try to make money with sending this poor people by boat to a certain destination.
Think of Africa, wrecks of boats loaded full with people try to reach Sicily, they have to pay frist money for this uncertain and dangerous adventure.

Ad

[artme]

I agree, but this tragedy should now not be made into a cause for open slather of illegal immigration or otherwise.


Peter.

My sentiments exactly! However, sad to say this is almost bound to happen.

[markharrison]

I agree, but this tragedy should now not be made into a cause for open slather of illegal immigration or otherwise.


Peter.

The real blame is poor seamanship. Unless the motor had failed and they were blown in, it would have been far safer to heave-to to leeward of Christmas Island or any other known navigational hazards. I don't know the area.

As for being untracked, anything is possible at sea. In those seas a small vessel could easily be lost in the scatter. Even a lookout is no guarantee given the size of the seas and the vessel. Having had to do this job I can tell you that something that small could easily be visually lost in the swells.

As for the legality, that is not in question. It is not illegal to seek asylum. The rest is arguable.