Missing divers, including Singapore, did not consult local guides on the sea conditions: Indonesian Rescue Officer
"They split informally into two teams of three. One team (all returning) headed north while the other team headed south, he said at Basarna's command center in Merak harbor, 30 minutes from the island. This brought the three missing divers on the path of a strong undercurrent that flows from the Strait of Malacca and the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Even our divers were swept away by the undercurrent as they tried to locate the missing men who were on a nautical mile from their original position after a one-hour search, Muhammad said.
Locals also believe that there is a shallow ditch (possibly leading to accelerated currents) on the south side of the island, which could further aggravate the conditions.
The group was experienced and one of them had a rescuer license, said the Rescue Leader without going into detail.
After taking in the survivors, they did not employ or consult a local guide before diving on Sunday. If they had done that, they would have been aware of the strong undercurrent.
This afternoon, we received additional military assistance from the military in the form of two surveillance aircraft combing the waters along the Sunda Strait and searching for clues to their whereabouts,Muhammad said.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Singapore informed the Indonesian authorities of coordinated search and rescue operations.
MFA added that it supports the missing Singapore family. The Singapore embassy has made contacts...In close cooperation with the Indonesian authorities involved in the search mission, there was a consular officer Rescue Leader said, "We can only hope for the best."
The rescue operation will officially end on Saturday. "But it can be expanded if the family asks," he added."
