Abandoned at Sea - Sun June 26, 2005 - The Ibis, Dania Beach, Hollywood Fl.

[medical1]

The tag system is in fact free to DAN business members BUT even if it were not is the cost of possibly loosing a human life worth the money? A dive operation can spend thousands on advertising but one incident like was described here can kill a business and a lost diver! Dive operators spend for O2 bottles for safety but I have seen very few dive operations actually using the tag system which they can get for FREE :-(

FWIW, the idea of DAN's tagging system is OK in theory, but is expensive as all getout. No need to pay the big bucks, a boat owner could do something similar for about 1/10th the $$$.

 

[miket]

In Southern California all the boats I have been on have a slate with all the divers names and trip-assigned diver numbers. They check you off the board when you go in the water, then check you back in when you get bac on board. Then, before moving site, the DMs do a verbal roll call and check you off.

Since the drifting Dan incident last year they have taken it a step further where they insist on seeing your face when doing the roll-call to avoid the "phil" instead of "bill" mix up. I have seen more captains involved with the roll call as well, sometimes having a crew member count tanks/BCs as a double check in case the DMs missed someone.

Why wouldn't East Coast operators all do the same?

Seems to work well. The drifting Dan incident last year was a complete screw up by the DM as he checked the diver into the water at the second site when he was really floating out to sea at the first site. How does that happen?


- MikeT

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

It's not a question of devising a system. There are systems that work already. All the operator has to do is pick one of them and then use it. It's that simple. It's not like they don't know already. Why they are not chosing to follow one of the workable systems is the mystery to me especially in view of the failing in the past.

 

[WinDuck]

Most definetly adding them to my DO NOT DIVE WITH LIST... Also I would like to ask, are other people on the boat just keeping to themselves. I guess with so many no one noticed, I guess we all look alike, just a bunch of seals. <sigh>

I am glad that you are okay, and shared this very important message.

 

[Spoon]

Abandoned at Sea on Sunday June 26, 2005 - Aboard the Ibis, operated by Southeast Oceanic Services, Dania Beach, Hollywood FL.

Twenty four divers aboard. Second dive of the morning. Barracuda Reef. Drift Dive. Five groups. Some were Instructors with students. One was a dive club from Naples each group had a dive flag.

My wife and I were 1 of those groups with our own flag. We were down 1 hour and 4 minutes (AL80's) according to my computer. Upon surfacing we see the Ibis about 300 to 400 yards away. We waive our dive flag in the air. Then we decide to inflate our sausages, long ones too. For about 10 minutes we hang there waiving everything we have.

Then the Ibis heads back toward land. Can you imaging that feeling?

Thank God there was a small private boat anchored some 80 to 100 yards away. It took at least 20 minutes but we swam to the private boat who invited us aboard and radioed the Coast Guard. About 5 minutes later the Coast Guard radioed back saying they had talked to the Ibis and she was coming back for us. At least another 15 minutes or so and the Ibis arrived.

The Captain, Neil, apologized profusely and seemed very sincere. Aria, who we discovered was supposed to do a head count said she just miss counted because of all the moving around. She said she was sorry but she did not take responsibility saying it was everyones fault. Neil took full responsibility just as he should have. He called again the next day to apologize again. I asked him what he was doing to ensure this didn't happen again. He said we've talked about it and we're "calling roll" from now on. He asked me if there was anything he could do for me. I said yes, promise me you will "call roll" and not just do head counts and he said he promised.

So the main reason I'm posting this report is because I happen to know, as reported to me by a member of this board that Neil has not kept his promise. On a dive yesterday they were counting heads again.

That boat is large. Lot's of divers. Counting heads is another accident waiting to happen. I encourage anyone who goes out on that boat to tell Neil they expect a roll call and mention this incident if you want to. I know of no other way to effect change in his behavior.

If you do dive the Ibis and you don't make that request - I can only wish you luck.

BTW: The Coast Guard is conducting an investigation. We've talked to them by phone twice now. We know who the owner of the boat is and we've talked to that highly unpleasent and uncaring individual.

Don

I have posted this report in 3 forums.

can you imagine if there was no private boat around??? talk about bad service. they should shape up or face a serious lawsuit!

 

[ReefGuy]

hmm. Looks like the operator isn't interested in posting their side of the story...

 

[lord1234]

seriously...call a lawyer! This is egregiouis...talk to ClassAction he may be able to help you. This is multiple millions waiting to go your way.

 

[EIGHTWGT]

seriously...call a lawyer! This is egregiouis...talk to ClassAction he may be able to help you. This is multiple millions waiting to go your way.

I have to speak up now.... Forget the lawsuit - Dont we have enough litigation going on in our country - does everyone have to file suits ??

Posting this on this forum and others is by far the best way to deal with it and will do more to make them shape up by a loss in customers and divers being informed of the no roll call practice of this particular charter....

I personally will never use them and will remember this thread long after reading it.... THAT is strong stuff.... How many will rea this post and learn from it ? I am sure a LOT... because posts like this typically get a lot of traffic...

If you really want to make an impact - call a local tv station in the area and report it,or 60 minutes, 20/20, whatever --- Then I'll bet you see them change their ways....

I dont wish anything bad on ANY business - its tough being in business, but when they operate in a manner that is reckless (potentially) to the people they are serving then someone should step in and say "Hey-change your ways, what your doing is unsafe"

Just my 2 cents..... sorry for getting windy...

 

[CA Diver]

First and most important, Don glad to hear you and your wife are OK

People make mistakes. I wouldn't chastise ibis too harshly for missing someone if they learned from their mistakes and genuinely tried to remedy the situation and not have it happen again. But, it sickens me that they didn't learn, nor do they care enought to try any harder to prevent a repeat of the situation.

How can you not chastise someone harshly for leaving someone at sea? If the privatge boat was not there, when was the CG going to be notified for the search? Would we be watching "Open Water II - The Florida Adventure"? There is no excuse for this! A roll call should always be done and eye contact made with the individual at a minimum!

When I dove with MDA in Guam they had between 12 and 24 divers on boiard. You started with a DAN type tag. Prior to stepping off the boat, a Newton 46, the DM checked your tag number and asked your name to match the two. When you exited the water he checked you in by number, asked your name, maximum depth and bottom time. After all were on board a roll call and head count were done. It does not take that much time to do this. This was a boat where you felt the operator was looking out for you.

I had a "scare" once on a boat in the Florida Keys and thankfully some of my buddies on the boat made sure the Captain and crew knew everyone was not on board. The Captain claimed he started the engine to alert me to surface and the DM made the mistake of raising the ladder. The main issue again was no roll call.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT DOING A ROLL CALL AFTER EACH DIVE!

 

[Rick Murchison]

seriously...call a lawyer! This is egregiouis...talk to ClassAction he may be able to help you. This is multiple millions waiting to go your way.

Good grief! And just exactly what loss was suffered? What damages to be recouped? Although I'm sure a skilled crook could make something up... nightmares, don'tchaknow.
"Justice" in this case is public ridicule and perhaps some disciplinary action from the Coast Guard - especially if it could be established they were lied to. But a lawsuit? Give me a break!
Rick