Local lifelong fisherman Carl Conway is hoping to gain more public attention and funding for his specially designed Rockfisher personal flotation device (PFD) with a television feature next month.
Together, with co-inventor Brad Devereux, the pair founded the Soteria Lifejackets brand in 2014 and designed a life jacket tailored to meet the needs of those braving cliff faces to cast a line out.
The idea stemmed from their own love of rock fishing and a number of close calls out in the water.
“I’ve been very close to death twice through drowning,” Conway said.
“I did fall off the rocks once and luckily I had a kayak jacket and a wetsuit on so the only thing that was hurt was my pride really and we had a good laugh about it.”
With 14 years experience as a search and rescue pilot for the Royal Navy, the pair combined Conway’s extensive survival knowledge with Devereux’s drive and enthusiasm to develop the idea further.
We said right from the beginning that if we save one life, it will all be worth it and we’ve stuck to that.
- Carl Conway
“We started adding things to our own jackets like a gimbal and a rod holder,” Conway said.
“We designed it all within the first two months but it’s taken nearly four years to get to this point.”
And now the Halls Head local is preparing for their television debut on Channel 10’s innovation show, Australia by Design.
“We’re absolutely over the moon to have been invited on to the show,” he said.
“If you win your episode, you get into the grand final but we’re not counting on that because there’s a lot of good inventions on this program but any publicity is good for us.
“We’re not out to make money on it – if we break even we’ll be happy.
“We said right from the beginning that if we save one life, it will all be worth it and we’ve stuck to that.”
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The show will air in November along with a Kickstarter project to raise funds for manufacturing.
The Rockfisher boasts must-have safety features including a water-detected strobe light, an extra spotlight, waterproof pockets, a survival hood and a crotch strap.
It also comes equipped with front and rear D-rings to allow for attachables, a rod holder, gimbal and small bait board for ultimate hands-free convenience.
“When you’re hands-free you’ve got maximum balance to climb rocks and negotiate rough terrain so if you take a tumble, you’ve got your hands to break your fall,” Conway said.
“When you’re carrying your expensive rods, your reflexes tend not to be so quick and we’ve all had near misses and taken a tumble at one time.”
The inventors’ TV debut comes as government talks continue on mandatory use of PFDs for rock fishers in designated areas.
The Nationals WA party passed a motion to make the devices compulsory at certain locations at their State Conference in Manjimup on Saturday, October 13.
Conway said Soteria Lifejackets were made for people to want to use, but not necessarily be forced to use.
“It’s something I would endorse but I’ve been working in an industry for 30 years that has taught me the value of life jackets and not everyone appreciates it the way we do,” he said.
“We think people should have a choice and it’s down to education at the end of the day and taking those chances is up to the individual.”
For more information on the product or to get behind their crowdfunding campaign visit soterialifejackets.com or follow Soteria LifeJackets on Facebook.
