Four European divers missing - Mersing, Malaysia

[Saldiac]

News report that she was found "about 30 nautical miles from where she was last reported seen". Also: "It is understood all the victims have diving licenses, while Grodem is a certified Dive Master."

Johor MMEA: Missing Norwegian woman uninjured, found by tugboat near Kota Tinggi waters

MERSING, April 7 — A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)-led search and rescue (SAR) team found Norwegian Kristine Grodem about 30 nautical miles from where she was...

www.malaymail.com

The boat captain has been detained after testing positive for drugs.

Boat skipper detained, tests positive for drugs after foreign divers go missing in Johor

MERSING, April 7 — The skipper of a boat boarded by four foreign divers who were reported missing after a diving exercise to Pulau Tokong Sanggol here, has been detained after...

www.malaymail.com

No diving and snorkelling activities allowed in Mersing.

Mersing district officer orders scuba diving, snorkelling activities in its waters to stop immediately

MERSING, April 7 — All scuba diving and snorkelling activities in Mersing waters have been ordered to stop immediately. Mersing district officer Mohammed Shakib Ali said...

www.malaymail.com

 

[wKkaY]

Some extra info gathered from our local news:

1. The instructor was found by a passing barge -
2. Boat captain tested positive for meth - https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/...r-found-safe-boat-captain-positive-meth-nsttv

3. The Sultan (who happens to be a scuba diver) has issued a stand down order for diving in the area pending safety investigations -

 

[The Wolf]

The meth problem is rampant here amongst lower income workers. Sadly. I just sacked a caretaker for consuming meth on my property last week.

 

[Pearlman]

So possibly a case of the boat skipper not looking out for them or moving away from the area while high on meth…

 

[The Wolf]

First interview with dive master is now out.

Link: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/c...hance-of-finding-3-missing-divers-say-police/

 

[Searcaigh]

I hope the other three divers are found soon.

 

[The Wolf]

I hope the other three divers are found soon.

Not good they were not found today...they can't be far outside the search grids.

Good news is the area is busy with ships so hopefully someone finds/spots them & picks them up

 

[DandyDon]

Not good they were not found today...they can't be far outside the search grids.

Good news is the area is busy with ships so hopefully someone finds/spots them & picks them up

I would think that the first thing to do if lost is to stay together? Two nights of drifting is going to be hell on the students, but there is still a chance that they can be saved. I remember a group lost off of Komodo Island years ago that I felt were hopeless after a few days, but they were found throwing rocks to keep the dragons at bay later.

 

[Centrals]

I would think that the first thing to do if lost is to stay together? Two nights of drifting is going to be hell on the students, but there is still a chance that they can be saved. I remember a group lost off of Komodo Island years ago that I felt were hopeless after a few days, but they were found throwing rocks to keep the dragons at bay later.

Body of missing diver Chong Su Sian found, 50km away from last known position

By Nancy Nais KUCHING, April 22: The body of diver Chong Su Sian who went missing while scuba diving in the waters of Pulau Satang last Saturday (April 17) has been found by the search and rescue t…

dayakdaily.com

Missing in water is different than on land.

 

[Miyaru]

Swimming against currents is a no-go.

It must have been extremely frustrating for the girl, not being able to get the boatcrew's attention.

There are always unpredictable situations, where the currents take you away from the divesite. Experienced that a couple of times in the Maldives.
Always saw the boatcrew waving back, so I could focus on keeping the group together and the SMB upright.
The open ocean can be a lonely place when you see the last island disappearing over the horizon...