Fuerteventura Forum

General Chit Chat & Queries - no commercial links => General Chat - old => Topic started by: fifi on February 27, 2013, 09:55:57 AM

Title: Tragedy
Post by: fifi on February 27, 2013, 09:55:57 AM
A 56 year old German man who was an amateur photographer was caught by waves and fell into the sea and drowned yesterday morning at the Caves of Ajuy. A waiter who witnessed the accident was unable to save him. His body was later pulled out of the sea by the Civil Protection helicopter.

Sad news.....may he rest in peace.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Voldermort on February 27, 2013, 10:03:25 AM
What a terrible tragedy to befall someone no doubt relaxing on holiday at a beauty spot. yet another reminder of the power of the cruel sea. As you say FiFi may he rest in peace.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: fifi on February 27, 2013, 10:10:10 AM
It nearly happened to me a couple of times when I was fishing off the rocks in Agua Verdes and Nuevo Horizonte Voldemort. The waves can appear so suddenly and are unbelievably strong. It is always wise to keep well back.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Voldermort on February 27, 2013, 10:17:41 AM
at sea we always used to look for the amount of swell going on. People often think if there are no waves breaking its ok and calm, but with any sort of swell running ,rogue waves are always possible and they are the really dangerous ones.

    One of the few useful things I learnt as I spent all my time in the engine room!!
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: fifi on February 27, 2013, 10:34:48 AM
I dont know if I would be able to tell if there was a swell. How would you know?
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Can the Man on February 27, 2013, 14:00:27 PM
Terrible news Fifi, may he rest in peace.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Voldermort on February 27, 2013, 15:20:14 PM
Quote from: fifi on February 27, 2013, 10:34:48 AM
I dont know if I would be able to tell if there was a swell. How would you know?


Thats the danger from the shore often you cant tell
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: zedzedeleven on February 27, 2013, 17:05:33 PM
Quote from: fifi on February 27, 2013, 10:34:48 AM
I dont know if I would be able to tell if there was a swell. How would you know?
Meet me on the beach one night my little Irish rose, I will show you a swell.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: falkirkdan on February 27, 2013, 19:14:37 PM
Quote from: fifi on February 27, 2013, 10:34:48 AM
I dont know if I would be able to tell if there was a swell. How would you know?
I would say being with you would bring a swell on :D ;D
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Paddster on February 27, 2013, 19:36:07 PM
Oh dear......
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: fifi on February 27, 2013, 19:55:14 PM
Emmm........what can I say? For once im speechless. :-X  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: zedzedeleven on February 27, 2013, 20:43:07 PM
Quote from: fifi on February 27, 2013, 19:55:14 PM
Emmm........what can I say? For once im speechless. :-X  :D :D :D
You can always quote Mae West Fi, a hard man is good to find !
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Spike On Q on February 27, 2013, 20:47:24 PM
There was an Amber Warning out at the week end for high seas all around the Island. Alex from the Aloha Surf Academy who features on Spike On Q every Friday makes a special point at such times of warning people to stay away from the waters edge on the west coast as swell formation can vary from between 1 meter to 6 meters and unless you are an expert have no idea about these swell cycles

These are NOT "waves" generated locally but "swell" that may have traveled build energy until they hit a shoreline with tremendous force

Not only does it hit the rocky shore with enormous force but can remove large sections of a sandy beach in seconds, taking the unprepared with it

We watch with horror visitors allowing themselves and the children into the sea at Ajuy in very dangerous conditions - please stay away from the water when it is anything but calm, even then take great care anywhere on the west coast

Listen to Spike On Q on a Friday and Canary UK Radio through the week for weather and sea conditions updates
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Spike On Q on February 27, 2013, 20:53:30 PM
Swell is generated in a storm many miles away. When the wave travels faster than the storm it escapes and starts to build it's own energy as there is nothing to stop it. The further it travels the more powerful it becomes

Waves are generated locally and are normally stepper and closer together with white tops

Swell are HUGE lumps of sea - with a large base and rounded top. The distance between each is greater than the height of the lump of sea. As they hit the shore they break with enormous power. These are the surfer delight - they dislike waves
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: duncolm on February 28, 2013, 00:23:25 AM
I was at Ajuy on Friday, wouldn't have dared go into the sea. Some of the surges were sweeping right through the big cave, probably at a depth of a metre at the foot of the stairs. I didn't venture that far down. The noise in there was amazing, but it wasn't somewhere to hang about long.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Paddster on February 28, 2013, 05:50:56 AM
Its scary enough watching the sea at the rocks near the Dog n duck......
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Paddster on March 01, 2013, 05:41:51 AM
Well this thread turned around.................... ::)
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Can the Man on March 01, 2013, 12:04:18 PM
It sure did and lost all respectability  :-[
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: isleswing on March 01, 2013, 12:12:17 PM
A basic precaution -

If you're down at sea level, and the horizon disappears, head for higher ground.
There's something coming.
Seriously.
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: fifi on March 01, 2013, 12:22:45 PM
Quote from: Can the Man on March 01, 2013, 12:04:18 PM
It sure did and lost all respectability  :-[


Yes ....we are very bold....no disrespect meant to the poor man though. :-X :)
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: duncolm on March 01, 2013, 12:31:48 PM
Quote from: isleswing on March 01, 2013, 12:12:17 PM
A basic precaution -

If you're down at sea level, and the horizon disappears, head for higher ground.
There's something coming.
Seriously.

The same would apply if the horizon rises suddenly.....
:o
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Ivemovedon on March 02, 2013, 11:45:46 AM
Romford i think lol
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: zedzedeleven on March 02, 2013, 11:48:12 AM
Quote from: fifi on March 02, 2013, 11:43:14 AM
Wheres Herman the German these days? ;)  :D

Oh `eck, you don`t mean it was him do you? Poor Herman!
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: fifi on March 02, 2013, 12:27:10 PM
Better not publish the date of your trip Zed Zed.....he may suddenly appear in his tank. ;)
Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Spike On Q on March 02, 2013, 13:25:24 PM
We updated the warnings last night on the program - we're now expecting rain and strong winds up to 50 kph on Monday and Tuesday and associated swell on the west coast between 6 and 10 meters!!!!!!!!!!

I'll update the broadcasts on Canary UK Radio as and when weather forecasts are updated

www.canaryuk.com (http://www.canaryuk.com)





Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: Spike On Q on March 02, 2013, 13:34:17 PM
Storms like this can be a serious issue for a small Atlantic Island like ours - I suppose if you're thousands of miles away it doesn't really matter what happens here.

Of course like the last tropical storm forecast in January - the one that turned south and missed us - this one could be a damp squib BUT it just might not be!

Title: Re: Tragedy
Post by: admin on March 02, 2013, 14:39:19 PM
Too many complaints regarding comments on this topic. Now locked. Lets move on folks.