Fishing expert Scott Lynch weighs into Port Alma safety debate after boating tragedy claims life of Jed Farraway

A highly respected Central Queensland fishing identity has been boating at Port Alma for 30 years - here’s his take on the popular area which has come under some criticism following Sunday’s tragic death of keen angler Jed Farraway.

Avid fisherman Jed Farraway tragically died in a boating incident at Port Alma.

A highly respected Central Queensland fishing identity says he’s never had a problem with buoys around the Port Alma boat ramp being a safety issue in the 30 years he has fished there.

Scott Lynch, who was a long-time contributor to The Morning Bulletin with his weekly fishing column, provided an insight into the area after being contacted on Monday by this publication.

Late on Sunday afternoon, the search for missing fisherman Jed Farraway, 28, ended tragically with a friend finding his body in the water at Port Alma, close to where a boat reportedly crashed into a buoy that morning.

Jed, who was from the Calliope area but had been living in Jubilee Pocket in the Whitsundays and working as a concreter, was one of four people on board the vessel when it came to grief.

Crews search for missing fisherman Jed Farraway at Port Alma. Photo - Steve Vit.

A man in his 20s was flown to Rockhampton Hospital in a serious condition with chest, abdominal and leg injuries following the incident.

Another man in his mid-20s was treated for leg and back injuries, while a man in his 30s was treated for chest, leg and facial injuries.

The three men were in stable conditions in hospital on Tuesday.

Scott Lynch with his 17.88kg barramundi caught during an Emu Park Fishing Classic.

Mr Lynch said he had fished Port Alma for three decades and he had never had a problem with buoys being a safety issue.

“I went down there a lot of times with blokes that knew the area very well before I did (on my own),” Mr Lynch said.

“And then I’ve been there for the last 30 years, so for me it’s just part of growing up there.”

It was reported that a fisherman who was on the scene when the search got under way on Sunday, told the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin he had been saying for years there would be an accident due to the buoys around the Port Alma boat ramp as they weren’t marked.

He said if anyone hit the ones near Thompson Point Boat ramp, they wouldn’t have caused such an accident but the ones at Port Alma would because they were made of harder material.

He said there was one particular buoy in front of the boat ramp that was particularly dangerous because it was hard to see.

But Mr Lynch had a different opinion.

“When I can’t see, when lighting or visibility is down, I always use my GPS track and keep a look out and use the GPS at the same time,” he said.

“And the GPSs now, all the new ones have got where all the buoys and beacons are.

“In cars, they always say you must drive to the conditions, and if you can’t see stuff then you need to slow down.

“But you have to be careful - in a boat you shouldn’t be hitting anything.

“No matter what it is - you hit a corner of a container or a floating object, or an upside down boat, and anything you hit in the water at speed has the ability to cause you damage or worse.

“I don’t think that’s right (claim that softer buoy would have made a difference). The only ones I’ve seen are big, hard poly; or metal ones; or a plastic type buoy - and they’re hard anyway.

“Like I said, anything you hit in the water at speed has the ability to cause you damage or worse.

“They (buoys) are what they are, and they’re there.

“They’ve been there for a long time but it doesn’t really matter - if they put a new road sign in that is there today and wasn’t there yesterday, people have got to adapt to the thing, adapt to it straight away.

“Well on the water is exactly the same.”

Crews search for missing fisherman Jed Farraway at Port Alma. Photo - Steve Vit.

Mr Lynch said he had been boating, not in Central Queensland, on Sunday when he saw a wine barrel floating in the water.

“It’s like driving a car - you can’t point the boat from A to B and think that there’s nothing going to be in your road.”

A Maritime Safety Queensland spokesman would not be drawn into responding to public comments surrounding safety but said any marine incident, especially one involving a tragic loss of life, was “regarded with the utmost concern” by MSQ.

“MSQ marine officers are presently working with Queensland Police investigating this complex incident,” he said.

“The investigation will be thorough, comprehensive and timely.

“Until this process is complete we will not speculate on possible contributing factors.”

Meanwhile, a Gofundme fundraiser has been launched to “Help Farewell Jed Farraway” with all donations set to go to Volunteer Marine Rescue and Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service.

Organised by Ashleigh Flynn and Jai Mitchell, on Monday afternoon the tally raised had passed $5000 of a $15,000 goal.

“A large sea and air rescue operation was launched for Jed by QLD Police with the assistance of Coast Guard, Marine Rescue, Volunteers and more,” the Gofundme page says.

“Sadly later that afternoon, Jed was located deceased. He is much-loved mate to many and will be sorely missed by his loving family and girlfriend. On behalf of Jai Mitchell, Jed Farraway’s housemate and very close friend, we have created this official fundraiser to give back to the amazing volunteers and services that endlessly tried to locate Jed.

“If you can, please donate and share. All donations go directly to VMR and Capricorn Rescue Helicopter.

“Thank you. Fly high Jed.”

Tributes have also flowed on social media pages.

John Boon, an administrator of the Fishing Central Queensland Facebook Group which has more than 30,000 members, wrote on Monday: “Confirmed report that Jed Farraway has been found. Not the right outcome we all wanted. A very sad day for friends and family and the entire local fishing community.

“A timely reminder for everyone to focus and stay safe while out on the water. Just goes to show how easy accidents can happen. RIP Jed.”

Good mate Jace Morrissey said: “Rest easy pal. You were truly larger than life mate. Never a dull moment around you. You will be sadly missed. I know you will give them hell up there. Cheers for the memories. RIP.”

Jed Farraway loved his fishing and travelled all over Queensland. He posted photos of his best catches on his Instagram account which has more than 11,000 followers.

Editor’s note: On April 4 a story about the disappearance of fisherman Jed Farraway published an incorrect photo of a man that was not Mr Farraway. We sincerely regret any distress caused to the pictured man and his family and friends.