Novice kayakers die on fishing trip

Photo by Gary Sissons. One of the Kayak's on Seaford beach.

One of the kayaks, washed up at Seaford. Photo: Gary Sissons

POLICE will investigate how two kayakers, who were wearing life jackets, died in Port Phillip Bay on their maiden voyage.

The men, Paul Washington, 36, and a 40-year-old friend from Ardeer, were inexperienced and had been on a fishing trip on Tuesday when they ran into trouble.

They had left the Sandringham Yacht Club at 6.30am and were reported missing by their families at 11pm.

Their bodies were found further along the coast, one at 6.10am in the mouth of Patterson River, near Carrum, and the second in Seaford about 8.30am. Their motorised kayaks were later washed ashore.

Mr Washington, from Windsor, had recently become engaged to Adriana Gusman. Her mother Colleen declined to comment last night, and Mr Washington’s family were unavailable.

Inspector Tim Hansen said the investigation into the deaths would determine how two men, kayaking together and wearing life jackets, had died.

Inexperience appears to have played a part and they were also unfamiliar with their kayaks. The weather also deteriorated during their spell on the water.

”There is an indication that they did not have a lot of kayaking experience and it was their first time,” the inspector said.

He said the men had been planning their trip for about a week and it was doubling up as a fishing excursion. They had given rough details of where they were going, but it was unclear where they had parked their cars, which were found at 1am close to the yacht club.

Inspector Hansen said the deaths were a reminder to take into account weather conditions on the bay in the lead-up to the holiday season. He said recreational boat users should give details of their trip to friends or relatives, and ensure they have safety equipment.

Reports will be prepared for the state coroner.

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