Belize: Death of Corey Monk

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

YES I KNOW WHAT A SAFETY SAUSAGE IS! As Nesher pointed out we didn't really have the usual safety discussions onboard that week. I have a very nice bright orange/red sausage clipped to the front of my BC, I also have a surface air horn, hammerhead underwater noise maker, a working computer, a dive buddy, my equipment serviced before every trip, etc.... I take safety pretty seriously. Might not save me but I believe in having it than not.

When we arrived in our room there were two almost clear yellow "safety sausages". They were rolled up (looked like small trash bags) and had NO MARKINGS on them whatsoever. They were never mentioned within the welcome letter that was also sitting on the bed. Being our very first liveaboard (we haven't even been on a cruise) we had no idea what they were for. Our first thought was that it had something to do with safety(hence the color and shape). We figured we would hear for sure. At the night briefing before leaving dock it was mentioned that we would have an unannounced safety drill within the next day.

We stayed docked for a few extra hours that night because we were waiting for two guests that never showed up. The next day, during dinner the two guests finally were delivered to the Nekton by boat having had weather delays. I am pointing this out only because I have wondered if this threw their schedule off somewhat and maybe this is why the drill was overlooked. OF COURSE everyone was at the morning dive briefing and I WAS listening and paying attention. I don't believe the "Safety Sausages" were ever discussed whether it be the ones in our room or our own personal ones. If it was, I don't think myself, my husband or Nesher ever heard about them.

What I want to know is how well a plastic bag would really work. I suppose if you don't have a real one then it's better than nothing but what if you ran out of air and had nothing to fill it with. It was literally a regular bag so I don't know how you would breathe any air into it and tie it off effectively. My real sausage has a inflate valve so i blow it up, I wouldn't want to use any remaining air if I had any.

As for the non-existent safety drill. The only thing we were told was that we would have an unannounced one and everyone was to go to the top of the boat with their life vests. We were never told where the life boats were located (though I eventually saw them) or any other type of emergency information on our trip. I don't know why it didn't happen. I don't necessarily think this happens on every Nekton trip, we just happened to be the week that had several things not go as planned. Another thing I just thought of that could have played a part in no drill was that the intercomm system worked the first day but after that something was going on with it and I remember several times crew would come into the galley and ask if we heard the announcement and no one had. The music seemed to work fine on it but it seemed like they were having problems with the sound.

UPDATE: I also want to mention something that has been discussed on another thread about Nekton. We received a letter today from Nekton (better late than never) regarding our trip. While it didn't specifically address the concerns we contacted them about it did recognize what happened on our trip. It was a very well written letter which discussed how valued Cory was to Nekton, gave some info about his family and addressed how his loss affected everyone onboard, with Nekton and his family. I believe they have sent everyone the same letter and given us each a generous voucher towards a future trip. The letter was signed by John Dixon and I am just happy that they sent it. Our trip wasn't ruined by Cory's disappearance, we did address other issues and we appreciate that Nekton wants to give us a second chance and by doing so they give themselves a second chance. I'll be optimistic that our next trip with them will be a good one whenever that may be. We have heard that Captain Nelson may be on the Pilot, if just temporarily, to address some of these issues.

In regards to what possibly happened to Cory. Everything we heard, while it was happening was coming from a crew member that was one of the last people to see him on that night dive. Another crew member also discussed the same issues with us later as well. Things can certainly become distorted in cases like this but I don't know why this crew member would have said these things if they weren't somewhat accurate. There was plenty of working equipment on board that he could have borrowed so what can you say...

 

[dkatchalov]

Never mind.

 

[djanni]

Sorry about the loss of your colleague.

Started quite thread did you!!?!

We've been on two Nekton trips. Pilot both times. First was Belize about '05 and the second was the Bahamas in '07.

They told us about the Safety Sausage. For the most part the crew was young but they were friendly and helpful and worked their butts off when the dive deck was open. We never had pause to question anyones dive qualifications.

We like the Nekton. Recommend it.

We've also been on an Aggressor trip and in a couple of weeks it's the Cribbean Explorer II. After that we may go Nekton again.

 

[HowDidIGetIntoThis?]

Didn't know that - but then you would always need to carry two SMB's. Don't know anyone here who does.

Would it be adequate if you carry one colour and your buddy carries the other? In the event that you get separated and have to use whatever is at hand I doubt that the fashion police would be terribly miffed. We do seem to get loaded down with an awful lot of baggage - the second SMB would be one of the first optional items that I'd be willing to do without.

 

[Bismark]

In the last year and one half I have been on the Nekton 3 times and each time we had a great time. The captain was one of the most professional individuals it has been my pleasure to know. Safety was his number one priority and he was unfailingly polite and respectful to all guests. Not one time did I see anything less than 100 % attention to making the guests trip a memorable event. I would recommend the Nekton without equivocation. I have followed this and related threads and finally felt compelled enough to post. I am surprised that someone who was so clearly concerned about the lack of a safety drill did not request one?? If you did not know about the yellow bag, did you not ask? IMO, personal responsibility is never something I give up. If I don't know something and feel I need to know it, I ask. I don't wait and complain that no one ever told me about something that I felt I needed to know. Not intended to insult anyone here, but take some personal responsibility....

As for how well the plastic bags work and the lack of a valve thereof, what do you think happens when you blow up a balloon? Last I checked there was no valve on them either. So imagine what happens when you blow up the surface marker buoy (operative word here is surface) and hold the end closed like you would keep a balloon closed. Now imagine if it was nighttime and you put your flashlight inside the bag before you crimped it closed. Now imagine if said bag was translucent yellow like the bags on your bed and about 3' long..............should be able to see that from a good distance I would think.... Again, no insult intended but several people have been flaming the Nekton and one bad apple doesn't mean I throw away the whole basket..........

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Bismark-

I agree that if you don't know you should ask. However, not one of the 15 people on board demanded that a drill be done so I can't be the only one to blame. In the same regard, it shouldn't be the responsibility of the guests on board to care more about their safety than that of the crew. It shouldn't be the responsibility of the guest to demand a safety drill be done or things be properly explained when the Nekton states that Safety is a priority for them. That answer just doesn't cut it. I don't discount your experiences. Our week it didn't happen and a guest should never have to tell the crew how to do their job. If you read my trip report you'll see that we enjoyed a lot of the trip but did notice several issues and can confirm the condition of the boat that others have complained about.

 

[Bismark]

Undersea bumblebee, I guess you and I will just have to agree to disagree. In my view, just because 14 other people did not ask for a safety drill does not mean I would just let that pass if I felt it was that important. Personally, no other 14 people in the world will make decisions for me with respect to my personal safety. Speaking as an instructor to a newer diver, I would allows "recommend" that divers will find it in their own best interest to take personal responsibility for every single thing they do concerning diving. Ultimately, it is you who will pay the price if something goes wrong therefore, it stands to reason that you (speaking in the general, not personal sense) would want to be making those decisions. Call me a controlling personality, but I will not be pointing the finger or blaming someone else if because of inaction on my part, I come to harm. Just my two cents.

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Does that mean if I should steer the boat too if I feel the captains not doing a good enough job? Look out People...:jump013:

 

[Bismark]

If was standing on the bridge and the captain looked like he was going to drive the boat on to a reef, then yes, I would steer the boat and I would shove him the hell out of the way to do it. On the other hand, I guess some people might prefer to wait until after the accident and then complain about the way the captain was not doing his job correctly. Different mind set I guess. Like I said, we will have to agree to disagree. (Not sure about what the little jumping guy at the end of your comment was meant to signify so sorry if it meant you were just poking fun at yourself.) Not trying to be rude.

 

[Gale68]

What I want to know is how well a plastic bag would really work. I suppose if you don't have a real one then it's better than nothing but what if you ran out of air and had nothing to fill it with. It was literally a regular bag so I don't know how you would breathe any air into it and tie it off effectively. My real sausage has a inflate valve so i blow it up, I wouldn't want to use any remaining air if I had any.

Maybe you didn't read my earlier message. These "plastic bags" have on at least one occasion worked more effectively that a "real" sausage (and let me reiterate, these "plastic bags" are "real" sausages. Just because something doesn't cost $16.95 at your LDS doesn't mean it's not a good alternative. This exact style of sausage did save me and my diving partners once. I didn't tie it off, I filled it with air, held it closed with my hand, and pulled the end far enough underwater to get the rest of it to stand at attention, so to speak.

I actually participated in a Nekton Rorqual sausage making party once, when we were sitting out Hurricane Charlie in Key West. Calling them "plastic bags" connotes something that looks like a grocery bag. Really they're 6 inch wide tubes of translucent (not transparent) yellow plastic sealed at one end. Each one is a good six feet long, which means that inflated, they can be made to stand up a good height from the surface of the water. And yes, at need, you can orally inflate them. Haven't you ever filled a paper lunch sack with air and popped it? You'd blow one of these up the same way, if for some reason you had no air left in your tank.

I agree, they should have explained in the first briefing what they were and how to use them. The week UWBB was on, it sounds like some things got missed, like the abandon ship drill, and it may well have been because they were thrown off by guests arriving late. The week I was on, they did the drill, but still never said anything about the sausages. Obviously, it doesn't do much good to provide the sausages if guests don't know what they are.

I'm glad to hear that folks have received letters and vouchers from Nekton. I hope some here are reassured that the management does care. The events of that week were extraordinary, and traumatic for all concerned.

The other customer complaints that have been discussed on this board really would have been better brought up during the cruise, when something might have been done to address them. During the first night briefing, they always say "please don't wait until Friday to tell us if something's wrong, tell us right away so we have a chance to try to address it."