Los Osos fisherman's death is a loss to dwindling brethren
David Allen Kubiak apparently fell off his boat while setting traps for prawns; he was not wearing a protective suit
By Sona Patel
spatel@thetribunenews.com
Central Coast fishermen mourned one of their own on Wednesday, a day after 47-year-old David Allen Kubiak fell off his boat and was found five miles off the coast of Cambria. Kubiak, of Los Osos, appeared to have fallen overboard sometime overnight Monday, sheriff’s spokesman Rob Bryn said. His body was discovered at 10:40 Tuesday morning.
The 39-foot boat, Axel, which is ported in Morro Bay, was spotted by someone on another fishing boat named Miss Allison, officials said. Kubiak died from salt water drowning with complications from hypothermia, Bryn said. A member of the local fishing community said the already small group suffered a tremendous loss with the death of the third-generation fisherman. “David is one of us. A very good one, very well-liked by everyone,” said Jeremiah O’Brien, a member of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association, who has known Kubiak for about 30 years. The Axel, which had drifted about 60 miles offshore when it was found, was towed in to the harbor about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.Kubiak was fishing for prawns on his last trip, O’Brien said, adding that he also fished for crabs and salmon. Kubiak had been fishing since an early age mainly because his grandfather and father were also fishermen, O’Brien said.
“It’s always hard when it hits so close to home,” O’Brien said. “We feel terrible.” O’Brien said Kubiak named the boat, which he purchased a few years ago, after his grandfather.Bryn said Kubiak was likely laying out traps when he fell off the boat. He was tied to one of the buoys attached to the trap as a flotation device, Bryn said. He was not wearing a protective suit designed to keep fishermen warm in cold water, Bryn said. No foul play is suspected at this point. The FBI and Coast Guard are expected to look at the vessel, Bryn said.
• Lkubiak wrote on 11/15/2009 08:13:17 AM:
ReplyDeleteIt is time to upgrade life saving devices for persons making a living on the ocean. I have spent a many hours on the ocean & maintained safety gear, performed safety drills/captain & crew. Life rafts repacked per specifications, survivals suits and epirbs, life rings placed and labeled. All coast guard approved. We all know you cannot work with any of those on our backs, so? all those safety devices apparently are not saving enough lives. It is time to use modern technology to create high tech life saving devices. It's time to come together & demand the help and funds to upgrade safety gear. I have several ideas & I am sure many of you do also. If we can send a man to the moon? Hmm? Our fisherman & fisher women feed a huge percent of our population, so lets keep them safe. Ideas: Create a life raft to detect man overboard (out of range per say) & launches w/a device that tracks man overboard w/sensor? Well? just one of my ideas...costly...existing gear is costly, a life is valuable
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•
Lkubiak wrote on 11/15/2009 07:33:01 AM:
A devastating loss for all that knew David Kubiak. Our son Gunnar will truly miss him. A huge thank you for all the love and amazing words given to our son. Never will be the same visiting his loving stepmother Paige & Stepsister he adores at the home where his father's love once was. I'm thankful that our son spent great times with his dad. He helped him on the fishing boat lots in past few years. Gunnar may surprise all and follow through the fishing legacy held by the Larson & Kubiak family: as he learned much from one of the best. Gunnar & his brothers Jeremy & Joshua have many wonderful photos that include David's friends , crewmen & loving family they want to share. They are creating website for persons to gather photos that hold special memories. David was very dear to all 3 of my sons. We will all hold him in our hearts forever. Fair winds..calm seas..keep safe to all persons that provide us food from our oceans. God Bless
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paperboy wrote on 11/09/2009 12:04:14 PM:
What a terrible way to die. My condolences to his friends and family. A person's supposed to work hard all his life and retire, then spend many years enjoying his grandkids and an easier life. Dave was too young.
BTW this is at least the fourth local fisherman to die while working the ''environmentally friendly'' fish and prawn traps. Fishing is the most dangerous job there is.
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comfortzone wrote on 11/05/2009 10:24:52 PM:
Love and prayers for his survivors - wife and kids. May we be brought to a greater reverence and appreciation of life -- even in the hard times. And let us support and do what we can to help the family and loved ones left behind. Grief is one of the hardest human experiences there are. Sudden death is just so numbing. If there is a way any of us can help -- let us know.
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suz wrote on 11/05/2009 03:45:46 PM:
Thanks crabber for clarifying the "protective suit" matter. For Miss Patel to suggest in her article that David was somehow negligent for not wearing such a suit is absurd. No type of survival suit exists to be worn while working on the back deck of a fishing boat. Fishing is an extremely dangerous profession. However tragic it may be, accidents happen! David was one of the best. Furthermore, the fishing brethren of the central coast is as strong and viable as ever, even though the Tribune and other media outlets would like the public to think otherwise. David's death only makes us more determined to continue with the success and traditions of the generations who fished before us. We'll miss you but never forget you Dave. ---Bob Maharry and Family/FV Mary F/Homeport Morro Bay.
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ReplyDeletecrabber wrote on 11/05/2009 12:02:50 PM:
To clarify the "protective suit" that is mentioned this story is a called a survival suit. They are large heavy duty like wetsuit designed to be used when a boat is going down. Survival suits are not meant to be worn/worked in. There was no reason for David to have one on.
An account has been opened at Rabobank to help in this time of great sorrow. David Kubiak Memorial Account
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Insider wrote on 11/05/2009 08:55:50 AM:
Tragic. David was a nice guy. My condolences to the Kubiak family.
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ndenial wrote on 11/05/2009 08:46:37 AM:
My condolences to his family and friends.
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crabber wrote on 11/05/2009 07:39:40 AM:
This is just so horribly sad.
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November 12, 2009
ReplyDeleteLOVE AND STRENGTH TO THE FAMILY,ALWAYS IN YOUR HEARTS TO BE REMEMBERED,HE IS YOUR ANGEL.
~
Jeanie Hunt,
Happy Valley, Oregon
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November 11, 2009
It is with a great deep sadness that I am sending my condolences to the Kubiak Family. I still say to myself, not Dave, not Dave Kubiak. Losing Dave is a huge loss... His family, his friends and the town of Morro Bay will miss him terribly. Morro Bay will not be the same without him. This tragedy is so unbelievable to me it’s very surreal. Dave was my boss, a mentor and a great friend and I will shout it out loud that "I LOVED THE HELL OUT OF THAT GUY"! Some of the best times of my life were spent with Dave. When I tell my children the stories of my youth they almost always include Dave Kubiak. He was a great man and his legacy in Morro Bay will go on forever. He was truly a lucky man. To be loved and remembered by so many speaks volumes of Dave’s heart and his character. He will be deeply missed. It is going to be pretty tough to get through this one that is for sure. This is such a great loss to so many people. I know that I will get through these sad times knowing that I will see you again my dear friend in a place where the "fishin's" always good. The entire Chapman Family sends their love and prayers to the Kubiak Family.
Your Good Friend, MAX
~
Captain James Chapman,
Sparta, Tennessee
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Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/sanluisobispo/guestbook.aspx?n=david-kubiak&pid=135553087&page=2#ixzz10QEkfZD1
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November 11, 2009
I went to High School with David, words cannot express the sorrow I felt when I heard of his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kubiak family and friends of David. Keep his memories alive and may they always make you smile!
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Terry Sylveter- White,
Paso Robles, California
November 11, 2009
All my thoughts and prayers sent out to the entire Kubiak family...
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Colleen harper
November 10, 2009
Paige, Tilly, Gunnar, Cherie & The entire Kubiak Family,
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May your memories of David bring you comfort.
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Sara Sigmund,
Atascadero, California
November 10, 2009
Just wanted to share a funny memory: Dave & Chris tried to trash can my best friend Elke & I our first day at MBHS. They were friends with Elke's brother, Lee Balgeman. The fun teasing continued after that. We visited them at the Skagerrak. We are so sorry for the families loss of such a nice guy.
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Yvonne Davis,
Morro Bay, California
November 10, 2009
Paige, Tilly, Gunnar, Cherie & The entire Kubiak Family,
We all share in your loss. Although some of us didn't personally know David, except vicariously through the funny stories/memories that Paige shared with those of us who work along side her, we know these memories will live on forever in our hearts and others.
~
Julianne, Sharese & April & Your EOPS Family,
San Luis Obispo, California
Se
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/sanluisobispo/guestbook.aspx?n=david-kubiak&pid=135553087&page=3#ixzz10QFI0Uxh
November 07, 2009
ReplyDeleteDearest Paige , Tilly, Gunnar and family, -the great love that your beautiful David had for you will be with you always and forever, as your love will be with him.
~
jamie
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/sanluisobispo/guestbook.aspx?n=david-kubiak&pid=135553087&page=6#ixzz10QGTDGuI
November 07, 2009
ReplyDeleteDave's family, We want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you all....We understand the grief you are going through and time will heal...Keep the love and memories close to your hearts and David,Dave will never leave you...and look for signs that he is still nearby...
~
Janice Peterson-Anthony,
San Luis Obispo, California
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/sanluisobispo/guestbook.aspx?n=david-kubiak&pid=135553087&page=7#ixzz10QGv3RT3
November 07, 2009
ReplyDeleteDave's family, We want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you all....We understand the grief you are going through and time will heal...Keep the love and memories close to your hearts and David,Dave will never leave you...and look for signs that he is still nearby...
~
Janice Peterson-Anthony,
San Luis Obispo, California
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/sanluisobispo/guestbook.aspx?n=david-kubiak&pid=135553087&page=7#ixzz10QGv3RT3