So.....when boats take divers to Paradise reef, they take them to the close-in sand, not the reef?
Where we were at "some portion" of the dive is completely irrelevant to where we were when the incident happened. It doesn't matter. These are the facts that matter:
1. Divers were in the water
2. The divers were under an internationally-recognized dive flag.
3. A boat violated any idea of safe distance from a flag that may exist anywhere in the world (zero feet)
4. A diver had to take immediate action to avoid death/injury.
5. The boat crew responded rudely.
Those are the facts, the details that have been hashed over here a million times really have no bearing on the events. Navigational channels didn't matter: there was a dive flag. A divemaster being present doesn't matter: we were under a dive flag at a dive site. The record of the company doesn't matter: what happened, happened. It is an inconvenient truth for many people, but it is what it is. I cannot change the facts, I cannot change what happened. All I can do is present them to the people here, and to Mr. Horn. If for some reason a person refuses to accept that these facts are true (facts, that have indeed been verified by Mr Horn himself), then what can I say? That person, whoever it may be, cannot be swayed by anything I, or anyone else, says.
I'll say again what I said on the other forum.....the vast majority of your posts on this topic have consisted of this exact statement. We are aware of your feelings, thank you for sharing them yet again.
5 internet medias? How about 3. No need to get carried away and exaggerate things.
I know that since you are a fellow operator in Cozumel, you are somewhat obligated to stick up for your fellow businessman. But why do you refuse to even consider the possibility that the actions of AquaSafari were even slightly wrong? Time and time again, you throw facts aside to remain in support of your friend, then attack ME personally whenever you can. Why? I guess if you cannot be convinced of anything but what you already thought before this incident ever happened, then there is nothing more I can do, and there is also nothing that you would be willing learn from this incident. Thus, at least for Blue XT Sea, it is a lost cause.
At some point, something has to give. I give. Obviously the facts are not enough. They have been verified by 3 sources, Mr Horn has agreed with my version of what happened, yet here we are, unable to agree on the color of the sky, let alone this topic. There is obviously too much pride in everyone...myself included...for this thread to come to any benefit. This is crushing to me, as I truly thought something good could come of it. But no, it is obvious now that it cannot.
So, I'm going diving. And if an AquaSafari boat runs me over, I'll just keep swimming.
Ted, no worries...no need for you to apologize.
Jonathan...You have selective reading issues. Please stop picking out the parts of my posts and taking them out of context.
Jonathan...you posted this by your own admission on:
1. Scubatoys - internet media
2. Cozumel My Cozumel - Internet media
3. Scubaboard - Internet media
4. Undercurrent - Internet media (also a magazine but submissions are posted on the internet as well)
5. Scuba Diving Magazine - again a magazine and an internet media
That's five, not three. Or do you not know the definition of "media"?
YOUR DRAWINGS show that you were in the navigational channel when the incident occurred. If they are wrong, then it's your fault, I am ONLY GOING by YOUR drawings!
Yes, being in the navigational channel at some point during your dive IS relevant because as far as I'm concerned based on YOUR description and drawings over the weekend...that's where you were when the incident happened.
Go back and read my very first post and several subsequent ones. I never said Aqua Safari's captain wasn't responsible, but I did say that I am certain he didn't
intentionally run over your buoy and I also said that you need to accept
partial responsibility. I maintain that he simply didn't see your flag, but no, that doesn't excuse what he did. He also has to accept responsibility, I
never said otherwise.
Yes, the boats drop students and instructors of in the shallow area for training, at the edge of the navigational channel, where he boats typically wait for their divers, and where your diagram shows the incident occurred...which explains why the boat was where it was.
Finally, I have provided much more than simply my opinion of your handling of this matter. And no, I am not obligated by any means to stick up for my colleague. I am defending what is right....and that was you posting/sending this to FIVE internet mediums in haste before first talking to Bill. I wouldn't have even gotten involved in this if I didn't know first hand what an exceptional operation he runs. I do stick up for shops I respect if they are being unjustly raked over the coals.
If you wanted people to learn from this as you claim, you should have waited and presented your story AFTER you met with him...THAT would be an educational and informative post, and I imagine would have been without the defaming statements. You had no intention of even talking to Bill until several of us suggested it and Bill extended the invitation to you...so don't try to pretend otherwise.
This IS the last time I will respond to your one sided statements. Unfortunately, I think it is you who hasn't leaned anything from this as you have yet to admit ANY wrong doing or responsibility in this entire ordeal.
