Experts describe freak waves around Port Lincoln in wake of boating tragedy

Two experts have explained the deadly nature of “freak” waves around Port Lincoln in the aftermath of a boating tragedy that left three men dead.

• How the boating tragedy unfolded

A highly regarded oceanographer and renowned fishing identity have shed light on the concept of a freak wave in the wake of a boating tragedy off the coast of Port Lincoln.

Professor Danny Eckert and his 12-year-old son were the only survivors of a capsized boat found near Spilsby Island, about 45km off the coast of Port Lincoln.

In the immediate hours after the tragedy, they described their 6m boat as being struck by a “freak wave”.

Tumby Bay’s Tom Tierney is regarded as an expert angler on the Eyre Peninsula. Picture: Robert Lang

The survivors told authorities the force overturned the boat and left them clinging to a rock for more than 10 hours before they were rescued.

Three others – grandfathers Paul Eckert and Alan Bottrill – and Paul’s son Tom Eckert – tragically died in the ordeal.

Flinders University Oceanography associate professor Jochen Kaempf said “freak waves” were not uncommon, often caused by storms at sea that could be a fair distance away.

Professor Kaempf said short, strong storms at sea caused swells, which then built into larger waves as they moved towards the shore.

There were forecast 4m swells in the area of the capsized boat.

“The first wave in a group of waves can cause a major disaster,” he said.

“It’s not a freak wave, but it can be the first in a series of waves.”

Professor Kaempf said it was critical people listen to local knowledge and operators experienced in the locations they planned to go, as each environment was different.

“Freak waves can just happen,” he said.

“If two waves hit on top of each other, rather than eliminate each other, they can build.”

He said surfers typically understood the wave pattern of different areas, such as every 10th wave being a “good wave”, but that wasn’t always the case.

The boat that capsized off Port Lincoln. Picture: Missing Link Media

Damage to the boat was extensive. Picture: Missing Link Media

Renowned fishing identity Tom Tierney, from Tumby Bay and known as Tumby Tom, has more than 60 years experience on the water.

The highly regarded angler said anyone hitting the water around the Eyre Peninsula – or southern Australia – should “pick your weather”.

“If there is quite a big swell, the main thing when it is like that, is don’t get too close to the shallows,” he said.

“Waves in shallow water can come out of nowhere.

“At any of those offshore reefs, be careful when you’re fishing near them.

“Don’t get too close to them, but that’s where the fish are.

“Freak waves – I don’t think there’s any such thing as a freak wave because freak waves are a common thing.”