Fishos `blessed' By Seven Angels
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday July 5, 2003
SEVEN flotation rings will be installed at dangerous rock fishing sites at Gerroa, Kiama and Sussex Inlet.
Known as angel rings, two of the potentially life-saving devices will be placed on stands at Gerroa, a further two will be installed at Kiama and three at Sussex Inlet, Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell announced yesterday.
The Australian National Sports Fishing Association founded the angel rings project in 1994 and the State Government yesterday pledged $60,000 to install more life rings along the NSW coast.
Of 49 already installed across the state, 25 are at notorious rock fishing sites in the Illawarra and South Coast.
The funding boost will mean an extra 40 angel rings in NSW.
Mr Campbell told State Parliament yesterday rock fishing was one of the most dangerous sports in NSW.
In the past decade 74 anglers have died after being swept off rocks.
In April last year a Seven Hills fisherman was swept to his death off Honeycomb rocks at Port Kembla.
An angel ring, usually located just metres from where the 52-year-old fell into the water, was missing so friends threw the struggling fisherman a bucket in an attempt to keep him afloat. He did not survive.
Rescuers said the missing angel ring may have saved his life. They also believed the $95 ring, a coveted item for people's bars, had been stolen.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury
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