My friend is the Captain and owner of the operation, and this horrific accident has nothing to do with anything he did. I just wanted to get that out there before anyone started rumors.(sorry, just a little protective)
I was with him last night and he told me what actually happened. Unfortunately for him, the news media is hounding him like crazy, and its an extremely unfortunate situation for all parties involved.(captain, friends, family members) I also spoke with one of the coast guard (a friend too) who was the first one on site, so I'll pass on what I know.
They were 4 tech divers who had dove the day before on the Spiegel. They all had experience. One of the men was pulled up by two other divers from another dive outfit. One came up, (the one who survived) and told the coast guard where he had last scene them. They had gone deep inside to the 3rd bottom level of the grove and the one who survived tried to pull them out of the room, and make them go with him but they panicked and pulled away. The man who survived said that they were confused as to where to exit, and were not sure which way to go. They didn't have a reel, which they should have. He decided to go back the way he came, and the others did not. I have a feeling that they were narked. They were about 136ft and of course, being that deep inside,it was pitch black. The survivor went up and he said that was the last he saw of them. They had placed pony bottles all over the wreck, and I believe strobes as well. The rescue team found the 2 bodies at around 2:00pm yesterday but were unable to bring them up because they were so far in. Hopefully they will be able to remove them today, especially for their families sake. I know they have the area closed off and the recovery is going on sometime today. we all hope that it goes well, considering the circumstances.
It just makes me realize how precious life is, and how careful we all should be. I've only been diving since June 06, and I can tell you this, I don't why anyone would want to try to penetrate a wreck that deep inside. I don't know many experienced divers that would want to do it either. I went on the Spiegel recently with some friends and two of them went inside. When I looked where they were going, I couldn't see the other side. I looked at my friend, and I said no. She obliged. I didn't feel comfortable. The others gave me a bit of a hard time, but I'm a new DM, and I will only dive within my limits and with what I feel comfortable with. I'm glad I'm not a follower. Just for this reason alone. I do love to dive the Spiegel and the other wrecks, but I'm happy just going around the outside and inside, as long as I can see the exit. This whole situation has really made me think. I also believe that sometimes when you have a lot of experience it might make some people too confident and comfortable and not think about the safety issues as much.
