---

After all it’s not every day that a shark pulls you over the back of your boat and into the sea!

Many may regard Perth game fisherman Filko Bavcevic as a man lucky to be alive to tell his tale. Others would argue that through a diligent and disciplined approach to safety at sea, Filko’s safety plan worked perfectly when put to the test.

Fishing off Exmouth, six nautical miles off the reef and in 175 m of glassy smooth water, Filko and his mates were enjoying a great days fishing. They had caught Pearl Perch and were bottom bouncing for more fish.

Due to fatigue of winching in fish from 175 m down, Filko decided to harness up. When he hooked up again he had also forgotten to check the drag.

About half way up from the bottom, his fish suddenly put on a massive amount of weight. It had been taken by a shark! Filko’s reel would not give up any line.

In a split second Filko was lifted clean off his feet and pulled straight into the water.

“I did not touch the sides of the boat or even stagger,” Filko recounted. “It was a perfect pirouette!”

Fortunately Filko always wears his RFD type 11A, self inflating PFD1 jacket. The force of the shark was enough to drag Filko under water to a depth he believes was about 2 meters.

Instinctively while under water Filko had the good sense to release the drag, while concurrently the RFD jacket did its job and self inflated. He popped to the surface and grabbed on to the side of the boat.

“Once on the surface I did not have to worry about swimming or treading water. The RFD jacket did that for me.”

“I must admit that it wasn’t until we were back on shore that night that the enormity of how dangerous the situation was hit me. It was very close.”

Since Filko’s close call at sea, he has bought two additional RFD 11A jackets, one for each of his sons who occasionally fish with him.

“I can tell you this is the best money that I have ever spent of safety gear. I’ve now gone further and bought an RFD life raft that is fitted to the deck of my boat.”

When back on board with all the fishing gear sorted out, the crew realized that the shark was still on. Another 15 minutes of reeling the beast in and a nice 3.5m Bronze Whaler was alongside the boat, posing for photos before being released.

“You never think that it’s going to happen to you, but it can. And when it all goes wrong, it occurs when you are least expecting and in the blink of an eye,” Filko concluded.

The RFD 11A is an inflatable PFD1 type jacket. While principally designed for commercial applications, it is a comfortable design allowing boaters and anglers to wear it for prolonged periods.

RFD is a world leading supplier of marine safety products and inflatable watercraft marketed under a range of brand names. Some of these brands include Aquapro inflatable boats, Plastimo boating equipment, ACR electronics and Aquaglide water sport products.

Beginning in 1920, RFD is primarily involved in the supply and service of marine, fire, life support and gas control equipment.

For all information concerning supply and pricing of individual products within the broad range, please contact your regional RFD branch office.

---

For further information contact;

Mark Barker
Managing Director
RFD Pty. Ltd

Phone: +61 2 9330 7000
Fax: +61 2 9330 7098
Email: mark.barker@rfdaust.com.au
Web: www.rfd.com.au