SA: Stranded canoeists rescued, now face fines

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2004
SA: Stranded canoeists rescued, now face fines

By Steve Larkin and Lauren Ahwan

ADELAIDE, April 13 AAP - Two adventurers who were stranded on Lake Eyre face $1,000
fines after being rescued by a media helicopter today.

Ben Kozel, 30, and Tim Jarvis, 35, were plucked from the Lake Eyre quagmire late today
after refusing police help.

The pair are believed to have been without the required permits to enter the area,
150km north-west of William Creek in South Australia's far north, and face fines from
SA's Environment and Heritage Department.

"They could receive an expiation notice and fines ranging from $160 through to a maximum
of $1,000," the department's regional conservator John Watkins said today.

"It's too early to say what action, if any, will be taken against them until we talk
to them but we want to confirm whether they had a permit or not."

Kozel and Jarvis had planned to canoe down Warburton Creek, into the huge Lake Eyre
and finish on the lake's south-western shores.

The famous lake - at 7,884 square kilometres, Australia's largest - is usually parched
but last month received a large amount of rainfall after a downpour originating in Queensland.

The dry lake has filled to capacity just three times in 150 years.

As Kovel and Jarvis attempted to cross the lake on Sunday, water levels dropped until
the water evaporated and their canoes became stuck in the mud.

The adventurers initially asked to be rescued by police and an operation was planned
for yesterday morning, but the rescue was called off when the pair decided to try and
make their own way out, using skis.

Late today, the pair were plucked off the saltpan by a Channel Seven helicopter.

"Whether we could get down the creek was always an unknown," Kovel told Channel Seven.

"If we got to the mouth of the Warburton Creek and we could go no further then we get
out and walk - that was the plan."

Mr Watkins said the canoeists appeared well prepared for their trip but came unstuck
by not heeding advice from locals about the dangers and likelihood they would become stranded.

When rescued, Kovel and Jarvis had only 13 litres of water left to see them through
temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius.

They had earlier tried to walk across the lake pulling a box that contained water,
a tent and some food.

Oodnadatta Police Sergeant Jeff Page today called for regulations to prevent similar
situations in the future.

"I would probably be encouraging them (SA National Parks and Wildlife Service) to perhaps
set some guidelines about what can and can't be done," Sgt Page said.

AAP sl/was/jlw

KEYWORD: CANOEISTS 2ND NIGHTLEAD

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