Unusual trawler catch off Lakes Entrance
Sad story now revealed behind this motorbike catch 50nm offshore from Lakes EntranceTrawl the trawler forums of the world and you can find some pretty wacky catches dragged up from the depths. Submarines, unexploded ordnance, treasure chests, that kind of thing. But we think this catch off Lakes Entrance is a world first.
Jack Parkhill from the Miranda Bay couldn’t believe his eyes when they hauled their seine net and instead of flathead found a postie bike. The bike was caught in 100m of water 50 miles east of Lakes Entrance. There was no sign of the postie or the late mail.
The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association (SETFIA) posted news of the odd catch, which has in turn resulted in the unearthing of the sad story behind the motorbike.
SETFIA's Facebook page uncovered that the bike was onboard the yacht Sea Eagle when it and the bike were lost. The vessel later washed up on rocks at Mallacoota.
The 65 year old experienced skipper from Wadonga was sailing from Paynesville to Eden and lost his life in the incident. SETFIA was contacted by the deceased man's family, who at this stage have decided not to accept the offer of having the bike returned.
This is a sad development in what was an intriguing story and the Association and this website send our condolences to the Bullock family.
It is thought the bike is a Honda CT90 Trail 90 which was manufactured between 1966 and 1979 and selling for US$330 at the time. The amount of marine growth indicates it may have been parked for some time.
The trawler crew believe suspected the bike came from a ship because it is too heavy to drift in the current. Interestingly, the eastern Bass Strait oil and gas fields were developed around this time.
The bike takes its name from the Honda CT110 which replaced it. The CT110 was used by postal services in Australia and New Zealand. It does not have a clutch meaning the left hand is left free to deliver mail.
The bike will not be restored and instead will go into the shed as a trophy. Fully restored, CT90s sell for up to $2750 on sites like www.bikesales.com.au.
Credit: Story information and lead image supplied by the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association.
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