Antigua: Dive boat leaves behind two scuba divers

[Colliam7]

But reading these kinds of incidents just cements what I already do for myself and gives me ideas for better communication. As Catherine would say, talk to the captain. Let him know you are on board. Talk to the DMs and other divers.

I always make sure to introduce myself to the DM and the Cap't. I introduce myself to the other guests. Then I usually make it a point to ASK how they take roll call/ head count and to please make sure I'm back on the boat. The crew will usually laugh, but they will remember me. I also take a mental roll call of all the other divers even though it's not my job.

Another issue to consider is proper behavior when the divemasters are trying to do a head count. Who among us has been talking when the divemaster was doing a role call after the first dive? Knowing the potential, I assure you this dive buddy is keeping his mouth shut and looking to see if it appears that everyone else is on board. I believe we should strive to be responsible for each other.

A good reason to always jump into the ocean prepared to be left behind and aid your own rescue: carrying a large sausage, mirror, whistle, dye pack, whatever else you can fit in your BC. It is a pain to carry this stuff, but, especially when using a random foreign operator, always a good idea to take along.

Some great information is coming out of the comments here. Yes, the crew ‘accounting’ procedures apparently were seriously deficient. And, this is a fundamental activity, something that we learn in DM training – it was drilled into me, for goodness sake – whether we are working with a group on a ocean boat dive or a quarry dive. I have seen a variety of ways it can be done effectively (and some really slack ways it is done when the captain or mate is ‘distracted’ by one or more comely passengers.). But, the best way almost always involves a roll call, not just a head count! But, the emphasis on PREVENTION is ‘spot on’. And, we can all contribute to prevention. (Don’t we also learn that an important part of ‘rescue’ is ‘self-rescue’?) We can actively support and facilitate the accounting process, both by paying attention during pre-dive briefings and during post-dive accounting (listening, and not talking). We can all also exercise a little situational awareness. (Thirteen divers on the boat, and no one – none of the other 11 divers, the instructor, the 2 DMs or the captain - noticed two of them, who had been there on the first dive, were no longer there???) Definitely, make yourself known to the crew AND other divers when you board. Also, go into the water prepared for a longer than planned stay. While taking a picnic lunch (AKA food and water) with you is a bit excessive, having reasonable exposure protection on, and having functional signaling devices (at least 2, sound and visual, possibly even electronic) in open (ocean) water seems prudent. Whenever I dive the ‘shark-infested’ waters (at least, I hope they are because the sand tigers are a big part of the attraction of coastal wreck diving here) off the NC coast, I think in advance about what I will do if a current carries me off the wreck at depth and I surface away from the boat. And, carrying a big safety sausage, a very loud noisemaker, and a bright strobe on my harness straps, is part of the preparation.

 

[Bob]

The dive op dropped the ball on this one for sure, but I have to wonder why someone else on the boat didn't realize that they were a couple of divers short? Was knowone on that boat paying any attention? almtree: Bob

 

[Davidstealey3]

Lastly, it also highlights the need for safety gear. Most divers say bring a DSMB if ocean diving, but never before heard anyone suggest head/face protection. Also, would it be wise to bring water bottles? Perhaps the divers should have been better prepared, but perhaps the boat should have provided the preparement? (ie: given everyone a DSMB, hat and water bottle, whichif unused would be returned before getting off the boat at the dock?)

it is not the responsability of the dive crew to supply divers with a safety sausage on a trip. unless it is stated that you need one before hand than they might carry extras. also if you know you are going out on a boat and dont bring some protection from the sun, thats your fault. all the boats i have been on useally have a water coller full of water on it for the divers. but giving them waterbottles for use in the water is a far streach. i can see if they were doing some kind of deco and was carring a camelback with them, but you shouldnt need one on a 30 min dive. next who knows if they paid attention to the pre dive breefing. they might not of heard them talk about the diver recall that the boat does when its time to get back onboard. not trying to hold the divers at fault here, the crew should of stilldone some kind of roll call or head count before pulling anchor. the last time i was at myrtle beach we saw a guy come up off of the boat his was diving on. but he deployed his safty sausage, and sat waitng for the boat to come get him. i think our captin saw him first, and asked the other boat "is that your diver over there". they pit a buoy on the anchor line so the divers could still asscend and know that they had not been left. picked up the diver, and went back to secure the anchor line back to the boat. while this worked out, the diver knew what to do when he got blown off the wreck he was on, and was prepared.

 

[EastEndDiver]

"The divers might share some of the blame for possibly not returning after a designated time"

That statement is ridiculous.If they did NOT return after the designated time then the crew should have sprung into action to determine why they had not returned and locate them not just go off to do another dive.

 

[Belmont]

Sandals operates all inclusive resorts in many carribean islands such as Antigua, Jamaica, St-Lucia, Bahamas, and Turk & Caicos.

They have over 20 different sites and operate an equivalent fleet of boats.

Diving and basic equipment are included at no extra charge in the resort package.

Two dives a day, every day.

I've been at 4 different resorts in Jamaica.

They run a safe operation there but not every crew ran an official roll call, did they do a "non advertized" head count? I don't know.

It's best in this kind of environment to make sure you are noticed, that you don't just stay by yourself in your corner.

Thinking about it, I remember that the Brits on the dive boats I was on, were pretty much reserved and stayed silent for the most part, compared to the outgoing americans who interacted more with the staff.

Anyway, good thing they are alive.

I bet there will be some serious staff meetings at Sandals resorts.

I'm curious to see what will have changed on my next trip there next Xmas...

 

[scratchmyback]

I'm quite shocked at the number of posts on here that are coming even remotely close to blaming the victims. I fail to see how any of this is their fault.

 

[Flightlead]

I don't understand why operators don't do something a more positive. Why not have a stack of numbered discs or something. hand one to each diver as they board. have the diver take it with them on the dive and hand the tag back to the dm when they get back on board after the dive.

 

[charlesml3]

I did a Sandals resort once in Jamaica and won't do it again. I've never seen such poor attitudes. The DM was horrible. He didn't want to be there, didn't want to take us on the dive and forced us back on the boat at 1000 pounds.

Like the others here have said, how could 11 other people collectively NOT NOTICE that one or two were missing? I'm not the most observant person in the world but I'm pretty darn sure I'd notice that. If there were 20 divers then maybe. Then again, I don't do cattle boats anyway.

-Charles

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

How many people didn't follow the rules here. Headcounts should have been done, divers should have returned in a specified amount of time, everyone should have used SMB's, not to mention the other divers didn't even notice someone was missing. I'm no dive master but I tend to watch everyone else on dives and make sure everyone surfaces (usually together).

 

[Jeff Toorish]

I think this might be a good moment in this thead to make a few points.

A diver being left behind is never the diver's fault.

The boat leaving without a diver is always the boat crew's fault --specifically the captain.

"Head counts" are not an appropriate method of ensuring safety. In fact, they are pretty much the opposite because if the count comes out correctly, due to an error, the boat crew feels confident leaving the dive site.

The only reasonably effective method of ensuring divers don't get left behind is a manifest. The captain (and only the captain) reads off each name before leaving the dock. Everyone must answer for themselves and only themselves --none of that "oh, John's below decks getting changed but I saw him."

After each dive or significant leg of the dive the captain again runs the manifest with the same rules.

And, at the end of the dive, the skipper again reads the manifest prior to everyone offloading.

Needless to say, nothing can completely prevent an accident but using this approach goes would go a long way to preventing divers from being forgotten, left and floating like corks.

Jeff